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Entomyzon cyanotis
Also known as Banana-birds, the Blue-faced Honeyeater "is a large black, white and golden olive-green honeyeater with striking blue skin around the yellow to white eye. The crown, face and neck are black, with a narrow white band across the back of the neck. The upperparts and wings are a golden olive green, and the underparts are white, with a grey-black throat and upper breast. The blue facial skin is two-toned, with the lower half a brilliant cobalt blue." (Birdlife Australia)
This individual was not alone. There was a little group of about 8 or so birds hanging around at and near the park bench my mum and I were sitting at, at a park in Nanango, QLD. The park has a small creek running parallel-ish to the road which kind of borders it from a private paddock.
While these lovely birds are noisy and gregarious, they are also a pugnacious lot, chasing away other species when feeding. Here at the park they were associated with Noisy Miners (Manorina melanocephala), Rainbow Lorikeets (Trichoglossus moluccanus), and Apostlebirds (Struthidea cinerea). I did see the little flock having a go at one of their own. They chased it away! But I think it did return to be among them. I also watched one in a tree near the park bench, get told off by or telling off a little mob of Noisy Miners, check out the little video (it was taken on the 16 March): https://vimeo.com/328893304 Unfortunately I didn't get a photo of the interaction but still glad I got this video :)
2 Comments
Thank you Rob! Always a pleasure :)
Great image and notes. I love these guys! Thanks for sharing this Liana.