Eastern Spinebill

This is the first time I have blipped an Eastern Spinebill and so I made allowances! I generally prefer not to blip a rear view of a bird, but with this one today, I had no better option.

He was feeding on the flower of a gum tree and was not turning around under any circumstances. So here he is in all his glory - on a perfect, sunny autumn day at Brownhill Creek.

More view from the rear.

The Eastern Spinebill is most easily recognised by its very long, fine, down-curved beak and energetic flight, during which its white outer tail feathers are prominent. Males have a grey-black crown which extends in a black line on either site of the breast.

The breast and throat are white, with a patch in the centre of the throat. The wings and lower back are dark grey and the underparts and upper back are buff. Females are similar to males but have less distinct markings.

The Eastern Spinebill feeds on insects and nectar while perched or while hovering. Nectar is obtained from a wide array of flowers, including grevilleas, but its beak is particularly well-suited to extracting nectar from tubular flowers.

Similar species: the Crescent Honeyeater.