A Little Wattlebird tasmanica, if I'm not mistaken. It was feeding from a protea bush at the entrance to my driveway.
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Beautiful plumage. And the Proteas are gorgeous too!
Beautiful shots there tark.
I know this bird as the Brush Wattlebird mate.
Beautiful bird and flowers. I particularly like the first shot
Thanks Lyn. Yes, proteas I believe were originally brought into Australia from South Africa, which makes it an exotic shrub. I think I was very lucky to have this bird pose like that just as I was getting into my car with my camera.
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Hi Tassie,thanks mate. I admit I get terribly confused over names of the different species and sub species. Before posting I checked the good book - It says that the Tasmanian bird is larger and darker than chrysoptera (eastern mainland Aust.) which has a kahki iris. But Denis may be able to tell us if I have this right.
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Hey birdgirl, thanks for that and yes, I especially like the first shot too.
Regards, "Tark" - Olympus 4/3rds colour
Hi Tark
I get the Little Wattlebird at my place irregularly. The BiBY Bird Finder calls Anthochaera chrysoptera the Little Wattlebird. I grew up calling it the Brush Wattlebird, but the name has dropped out of favour in technical circles. But what we call them, amongst friends, is a matter of popular usage.
I assume the "tasmanica" you refer to is a sub-species of A. chrysoptera. I tend not to get fussed about sub-species names, but assuming I am right, A. chrysoptera ssp tasmanica would have to be right for your bird.
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I grow that Protea as well, but I have never seen Honeyeaters feeding from them. So those images are a first for me.
I wrote a blog post last week about the structure of the flowers of Proteas, and the South African references comment that the bracts snap open when a pollinating bird comes to the flower, because of the weight of the bird. The nectar glands are very low within the flower. By opening the bracts on the side, that ought allow the bird access to the nectar.
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It seems your bird has not yet learnt the correct approach technique. But it is a very interesting posting.
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It is poking in to the top. That is where the pollen is located, but the nectar is right at the bottom of the flower (3 inches 75mm lower down).
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But I do see some of the long thin "needle-like" flowers poking out through the pink bracts, so maybe it has had a previous attempt, with more success.
If anyone is interested in details of Protea flower structure, feel free to have a close look.
http://peonyden.blogspot.com/2009/06/protea-flower-parts-in-detail.html
Cheers
Denis
Denis Wilson
www.peonyden.blogspot.com
Nice pics Tark, the first one is a beaut.
Tark
You couldn't have got a better pose in front of such a lovely background if you'd set it up yourself!!
Proteas are beautiful plants and the bird looks beautiful set against it.
Sunshine Coast Queensland
HI Tark
The first one is my pick to beautiful bird and plant don't get those birds in my yard top shots.
Hi Denis, many thanks. The info I quoted was from the Simpson & Day Field Guide to the Birds of Australia, (1984 edition) – pretty outdated I guess, there’s probably a better one.
Thanks for your fascinating description of the Protea flower’s anatomy, both here and your more detailed blog version. It made me want to paint a few arrows on the flower to show the wattlebird how to access its nectar.
As I don’t have or wish to create a google account I tried to leave a comment on your blog using the *anonymous* option, but there was no confirmation of it sending. I don’t know whether you received it or not.
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Raoul
Thanks mate.
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Birdie
I have to say that I got very lucky in catching that shot, least when I was expecting it. I guess it compensates for the many that “get away”. Thanks mate.
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smeedingo2
Thanks, I appreciate the feedback.
Regards, "Tark" - Olympus 4/3rds colour
Hi Tark
Thanks
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I did receive your comment on the blog and replied there too.
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I was trying to suggest that the "tasmanicus" name would be right, but as a sub-species, probably.
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Hopefully your Wattlebird will learn how to find the nectar in your Protea. You could try pulling down several of the outer bracts (the pink sheathing parts) to allow access to the base of the flower.
Cheers
Denis
Denis Wilson
www.peonyden.blogspot.com
I see your response to my comment on your blog, thanks. But can't believe that damned typo of mine!
I'll take a closer look at the protea flower to see if it's nectar has been accessed but I don't really want to wreck a flower if I can help it, not even to help the wattlebird out - it appeared well nourished. :o)
Now tell me Denis, once a bird consumes the nectar from a flower, does the plant replenish it, and if so, over what time frame?
Regards, "Tark" - Olympus 4/3rds colour
Hi Tark
I can understand your reluctance to wreck the flower - just to help the Wattlebird.
Re the nectar, judging by Banksias and Waratahs, the nectar actually flows - but only when the flower is fresh. The nectar's function is to attract pollinators.
Pollinators are only required (by the plant) when the flowers are producing fresh pollen, or when the female parts are "receptive".
However, as each flower head has so many individual flowers, that "state of readiness" spans quite some time, maybe 2 weeks. Proteas ripen from the outside inwards (outer edge flower ready first).
Cheers
Denis
Denis Wilson
www.peonyden.blogspot.com
Thanks Denis, that is interesting and useful information. I should now be able to pedict when and for roughly how long a particular species of bird will be attracted to a particular source of nectar - I suppose the trick is to know which birds like which nectar, nuts or berries best. The study of birds, their habits and habitats it seems must go hand in hand with the study of shrubs and flowers - so if I am to take this seriously then I have at least two subjects if not three or more to learn about - well that should keep me busy for at least the next twenty years or more until one day I am given a pair of wings or a shovel of my own, mate.
Regards, "Tark" - Olympus 4/3rds colour
Well, Tark
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You and me, both.
The day we stop learning should be the day after we have been buried.
Day 1 will be spent investigating fungi and earth worms.
Day 2, the battery on my torch runs out.
Cheers
Denis
Denis Wilson
www.peonyden.blogspot.com
I get the picture Denis. Reminds me of a dirge once heard as a walked upon a grave -
"Hark ye stranger passing by,
As you are now so once was I.
As I am now so you will be,
Prepare ye then to follow me ..."
Regards, "Tark" - Olympus 4/3rds colour