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Singing HoneyeaterAlternative name: "Dairy-bird" |
Sightings
Singing Honeyeaters were a rare sight at the place where we lived in 2003-2006, 20 km south of Narrabri, NSW. First spotted in December 2005, then again in April 2006 in the area of Bohena, 15 km west of Narrabri and later in August and September in both areas.
Where we lived from 2007 onwards, 20 km east of Narrabri, in the foothills of the Nandewar Range, Singing Honeyeaters are permanent residents and, together with a strong contingency of Spiny-cheeked Honeyeaters, the dominant species of honeyeater in the area.
At the two places where we lived, we observed a distinct anti-coincidence of Singing Honeyeaters and White-plumed Honeyeaters.
Photos
Frontal view of the a Singing Honeyeater (click on image for larger version)
Near-frontal view of the same bird (click on image for larger version)
Lateral view of a Singing Honeyeater 20 km east of Narrabri, New South Wales (click on image for larger version)
The same bird feeding from a Grevillea flower (click on image for larger version)
Lateral view of a Singing Honeyeater looking for insects on the underside of leaves (click on image for larger version)
Singing Honeyeater coming in for a drink (click on image for larger version)
Frontal view of a Singing Honeyeater preening itself (click on image for larger version)
Frontal view of a fledgling Singing Honeyeater (click on image for larger version)
Here a different fledgling Singing Honeyeater, observed as it ventured out of its nest for the first time in early November 2008; minutes later it flew into a nearby tree (click on image for larger version)
Nest
Singing Honeyeater nest in an oleander bush (click on image for larger version)
The same nest as above, with two chicks on the point of leaving; they were already practicing their wingbeat when this photo was taken - the next morning they were gone (click on image for larger version)