Eastern Spinebill, note bib.
Photo: K Vang and W Dabrowka / Bird Explorers © K Vang and W Dabrowka / Bird Explorers
Eastern Spinebill on branch.
Photo: K Vang and W Dabrowka / Bird Explorers © K Vang and W Dabrowka / Bird Explorers
Eastern Spinebill, head.
Photo: R Major © Australian Museum
Eastern Spinebill at nest.
Photo: SG Lane Collection © Australian Museum
Distribution map of Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris
Map © Birds Australia Birdata
Eastern Spinebill
Scientific name: Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris
Family: Meliphagidae
Order: Passeriformes
What does it look like?
Description
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 rufous 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.
Similar species
Crescent Honeyeater, Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, Western Spinebill (in Western Australia)
Where does it live?
Distribution
The Eastern Spinebill's range is generally east of the Great Dividing Range from Cooktown in Queensland to the Flinders Ranges in South Australia
Habitat
The Eastern Spinebill prefers heath, forest and woodland.
Seasonal movements
Largely sedentary, but undergoes some local movements, especially away from higher elevations in autumn/winter.
What does it do?
Feeding
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 such as epacrids.
Breeding
The Eastern Spinebill's nest is a small cup of twigs, grass and bark, combined with hair and spider's web, built in a tree fork, generally between 1 and 5 metres from the ground. Only the female builds the nest and incubates the eggs, but both parents feed the young when they hatch.
Living with us
Urban habitat requirements
The Eastern Spinebill sometimes visits urban gardens that are well-vegetated, and will feed from both native and exotic flowers, including fuchsias.
References
Higgins, P.J. (ed) 1999. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds, Volume 4 (Parrots to Dollarbird). Oxford University Press, Melbourne.
Morcombe, M. 2000. Field guide to Australian Birds. Steve Parish Publishing.
Simpson, K and Day, N. 1999. Field guide to the birds of Australia, 6th Edition. Penguin Books, Australia.