banksia beach - a little wattlebird - a photo on Flickriver

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The wattlebirds were hopping around in dense banksia trees in Kakadu reserve; mating display, I think.

Little Wattlebird
Scientific Name: Anthochaera chrysoptera
Description: The Little Wattlebird is a medium to large honeyeater, but is the smallest of the wattlebirds. It is mostly dark grey-brown above, with faint white shafts on each of the feathers. The underparts are grey and are heavily streaked with white. The streaks are finer around the throat, becoming more blotched on the sides of the belly. In flight, there is a large rufous patch in the wings. The eye is blue-grey. Birds of Western Australia have a red eye and a silver patch on the side of the throat; these are sometimes regarded as a different species. The sexes are similar. Young Little Wattlebirds resemble the adults, but are duller, have less streaking and a have a browner eye.
Similar species: The larger Red Wattlebird, Anthochaera carunculata, has a yellow belly patch, red wattles on its cheeks and lacks rufous in the wings. Only one other wattlebird species is found in Australia, the Yellow Wattlebird, A. paradoxa, of Tasmania. It is the largest of the three wattlebirds, and indeed the largest of Australia's honeyeaters. It has large yellow wattles hanging from the cheeks.
Distribution: Little Wattlebirds are found throughout south-eastern and south-western Australia and Tasmania.
Habitat: Little Wattlebirds prefer the drier and often scrubby, habitats, such as banksia heaths, forests, woodlands and urban parks and gardens.
Feeding: As with other honeyeaters, Little Wattlebirds feed on nectar, which is obtained using a long, brush-tipped tongue, specially adapted to probing deep into flowers. Other food includes insects, flowers, berries and some seeds. Most feeding is done while perched, but some insects are caught in mid-air. Birds may feed alone or in small to large groups.
Breeding: If conditions are suitable as many as three broods may be raised in a year. The female Little Wattlebird normally constructs the nest, which is a large cup of twigs and grass, lined with soft materials, such as feathers and wool. The nest may be placed in a range of places from the ground up to about 15m. The female also incubates the eggs alone. Both sexes care for the young chicks.
Calls: Loud clucking and distinctive unmusical calls.
Minimum Size: 26cm
Maximum Size: 30cm
Average size: 28cm
Average weight: 62g
Breeding season: August to December most active, but can breed year round
Clutch Size: 1 to 3
Nestling Period: 16 days
(Source: www.birdsinbackyards.net)

© Chris Burns 2019
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This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.

Taken in: Australia / Queensland / Banksia Beach (show map)

Taken on: January 16, 2019

Tags:

Little Wattlebird

Anthochaera chrysoptera

wattlebird

bird

Australian bird

fauna

Australian fauna

Nikon D500

Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VRS

Kakadu Nature Reserve

Bribie Island

nature

outdoors

wildlife

Australian wildlife « less

Sets appears in: • Birds • Bribie Island more » • Honeyeaters « less

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Camera: Nikon D500, f/5.6, 1/3200 sec, 500mm (=750mm), ISO 400 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nikon D500
Lens:	200.0-500.0 mm f/5.6
Aperture:	f/5.6
Exposure Time:	1/3200 sec
Focal Length:	500mm (35mm equivalent: 750mm)
ISO:	400
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	No Flash
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Saturation:	High
Sharpness:	Hard
Color Space:	Uncalibrated
Software:	Adobe Photoshop CC 2019 (Windows)
Show full info

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