This lovely photo reminds me that we now have male mistletoe birds established at our place. However, only once have I ever seen a female of the species. What are other posters with mistletoe bird experience experiencing?
In spring the mistletoe birds at my place collect fluff from the Lamb's ears (Stachys lanata) plants, presumably to line their nests. The females are pretty inconspicuous, only easy to id because their tails are so short. A tiny bird with a short tail is a female mistletoe bird.
It's certainly a male mistletoe bird, BajanAlan. I was referring to GregL's comment "A tiny bird with a short tail is a female mistletoe bird" & making the point that pardalotes are also small birds with short tails.
I find pardalotes pretty easy to pick, they have plenty of distinguishing features. The little female mistletoebird only has her stubby tail, everything else about her is pretty inconspicuous.
Male Mistletoebird...
Brandon (aka ihewman)
Wow U R good!
This lovely photo reminds me that we now have male mistletoe birds established at our place. However, only once have I ever seen a female of the species. What are other posters with mistletoe bird experience experiencing?
In spring the mistletoe birds at my place collect fluff from the Lamb's ears (Stachys lanata) plants, presumably to line their nests. The females are pretty inconspicuous, only easy to id because their tails are so short. A tiny bird with a short tail is a female mistletoe bird.
Or a pardalote.
Hi Woko not a pardalote, we have those as well, they are more multicoloured!
It's certainly a male mistletoe bird, BajanAlan. I was referring to GregL's comment "A tiny bird with a short tail is a female mistletoe bird" & making the point that pardalotes are also small birds with short tails.
Groovey
M-L
or a pardalote
female Spotted Pardalote is not that colourful, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra, 8 June
Peter
I find pardalotes pretty easy to pick, they have plenty of distinguishing features. The little female mistletoebird only has her stubby tail, everything else about her is pretty inconspicuous.
just like most girls early in the morning before they put their make up on.
M-L
Good one PacMan
Actually, I quite like the pink undertail of the female mistletoe bird. I reckon that's quite distinctive.