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Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris
Adults grow to around 16cm, males & females similar but female is slightly duller in colour with a grey crown (males black crown). White under throat with muddy violet patch in centre, chestnut on nape of neck, black iridescent wings, tail & back, lighter chestnut belly area, dark area extends from head around to chest, eyes red, beak is long, thin & curved, call is repetitive & high. Feeds on nectar & occasional insects & sweet fruit. Hovers in similar style to hummingbirds.
Found throughout the very east of Australia from South Australia around the coastline up to Far North Queensland, also in Tasmania in habitat that provides flowering nectar producing plants whether in natural environment or gardens. This one in garden setting adjacent to dry highland woodland.
These photos show the 'hummingbird' style of hovering at flowers gathering nectar which is a characteristic of these birds. Many other native nectar feeders adopt the same style to varying degrees.
Spotted on Mar 9, 2014
Submitted on Mar 10, 2014
12 Comments
Thanks MacC, Tom15 & LeanneG for your kind comments on this spotting! I've been trying for a while to get some decent shots of them - they torment me, almost landing on my head when I haven't got a camera handy!
Nice pic KD
Nice looking bird and great shots as always!
I love these birds! Beautiful photos kd.
Thanks lori.tas, Nayeli & Mark. Yes I saw that other name for them Mark, it is a good one! The ones I've seen & photographed in this region always seem to have the very red eyes, the females slightly duller, more brownish as are juveniles. I think they vary in many aspects from region to region. I've noticed a lot of bird species do vary.
Just noticed your eye is very red and ours are brown. Maybe the lighting. Another common name for them is Cobbler's Awl and with that beak I think it's a good one.
Amazing, nice bird!
I often describe these a Hummingbird-like. This photo captures that brilliantly.
Thanks Mark. It's exhausting just trying to get a few good photos of these birds! These will make good reference for my future illustrations.
Great shots. The closest thing we have to a hummingbird. Well done to capture these guys. They sure don't hang around to make it easy.
Thank you Jellis for comment. They move so fast.
Gorgeous