I photographed this Wattlebird in the flax flowers a few days ago. (Nikon D3000) These ones frequent the southern Australian mainland.
An immature Red Wattlebird, its red wattle is barely visible. Young ones have less yellow on their tummy, too.
As you can see, it wasn’t particularly worried about me.
Thanks for looking.
🙂
Post 25/365
Missed 12
I thought I’d spotted a brand-new bird at the birdbath this morning. I could see how it was a New Holland Honeyeater, but it had a rufus forehead.
I got the bird book out. Nope, no such variation on the New Holland Honeyeater page. I saw it again up the back yard and I wondered how it could get paint, or something, on its head like that.
I wondered if it was from the newly-flowering flax plant, for I was pretty sure it had flown from that direction as I approached.
I poked one of the flowers and the pollen smeared my finger. It was the same colour as the bird’s head.
I decided to keep a lookout for proof. As soon as my hand was on the back door knob, the honeyeater flew down from the gum tree to a flax flower frond. Luckily, I’d not long hung washing on the line, so I had somewhere to hide when I snuck back to catch it in the act.
Sure enough, it has pollen on its head.
See …
How good is that! Mystery solved.
Thanks for looking. Do have a great weekend. Stay safe.
🙂
Christine
On 15th November 2021, I declared I would blog every day for the next 365. Progress?
Posted: 19/365
Missed: 7
I’m not sure who got the biggest surprise, me or this White-plumed Honeyeater.
I was on my way back to the house after taking pics of the butterflies. It was on the way to the bird bath. After pausing for this photo, it snatched a mouthful of water and took off.
I saw an Eastern Spinebill Honeyeater yesterday in the gum tree out back. But it was gone by time I got the camera. Good to know they are still about.
🙂
Post 15/365
Christine R 
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