Yellow Wattlebird

Anthochaera paradoxa

Appearance:
Large honeyeater
Grey-brown plumage streaked with white
Long, yellow wattles hanging from cheeks
Dark wings
Yellow belly
Short, strong, dark bill

Although the Yellow Wattlebird is supposedly common in Tasmania, I only saw one once, on Maria Island.  And believe me, if I'd encountered another one I couldn't have mistaken it for anything else.  It was one of the oddest birds I've ever seen.

The Yellow Wattlebird is one of twelve species of birds that are endemic to Tasmania.  This means they are found nowhere else on earth.

Learn more about the Yellow Wattlebird.

Eastern Spinebill

Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris

Adult - Port Arthur, Tasmania

Appearance:
Long, fine, black,  down-curved bill
White outer tail feathers
Male:
     Black head, which extends in a line around breast
     White throat and breast, with rufous patch in centre
     Pale cinnamon to buff underparts
     Rufous-red nape
     Grey-brown back and wings
     Dark tail
     Red eye
 Female and Juvenile:
     Duller, with less distinct markings

As we were preparing to leave our rental cottage this morning, this striking bird flew past the car. Luckily there was a flowering bush next to the driveway where it decided to stop for a meal.  So, I quickly grabbed my camera and started clicking away, leaving my husband to finish packing.  Thankfully, he's used to my bird obsession and didn't get (too) annoyed with me.

Juvenile - Ripponlea Garden, Melbourne

Learn more about the Eastern Spinebill. 

Noisy Miner

Manorina melanocephala leachi

Appearance:

Grey bird

Black crown and cheeks

Orange-yellow bill and legs

Yellow panel in wings

Yellow patch behind eyes

White tips on tail feathers

This is another of the birds that I saw while at Bonorong.  It was pecking at a picture of itself on the wall, quite violently at times.  I'm not sure whether it was showing affection for the 'other bird' or trying to challenge it, as I've read that they are aggressive birds that often peck at and chase intruders.

 

Learn more about the Noisy Miner.

Little Wattlebird

Anthochaera chrysoptera

Appearance:
Medium-large honeyeater / small wattlebird
Dark grey-brown upperparts with white shafts on feathers
Grey underparts, streaked with white
Large rufous patch on the wings, seen in flight
Bluish-grey eye



Learn more about the Little Wattlebird.

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St Kilda Esplanade, Melbourne

White-plumed Honeyeater

Lichenostomus penicillatus

Docklands Park, Melbourne

 
Appearance:
Medium-sized honeyeater
Yellow upperparts and head
Pale brown-grey underparts
White neck plume
Slightly down-curved bill

Learn more about the White-plumed Honeyeater.

Bell Miner

Manorial melanophrys

         
Appearance:
Medium-sized honeyeater
Olive-green plumage
Red-orange bare eye patch
Yellow bill
Yellow-orange legs
       

 Learn more about the Bell Minor.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne