Had a couple of hours after work this afternoon at Barker Inlet Wetlands.
Lucky to see some NHH catching insects and taking them back to their nestlings. You could hear the babys squarking as dinner arrived.
My question to the knowledgable birdies is how do they take multiple insects without the previous catch falling out of the beak? You can see the insects stuck to the side of the beak,Gluey saliva?
Keep in mind that they seem to be catching multiple insects in a few seconds of hovering. Amazing to watch.
Wow, amazing flight photos! As usual you have taken outstanding shots.
Wow! Some great action shots there Rick. Good question as well. I thought the same thing the other day watching a Parladote return with a mouthful. You would think everything would fall out as they go to collect more food.
Samford Valley Qld.
Wonderful photos - fantastic work with those flight shots. Amazing those ones with the open beak ready to capture the insect.
With the naked eye, generally I cannot see the insects the birds are chasing but your photos reveal all.
Gluey saliva? Maybe thats why they eat honey, to get sticky saliva!
It certainly appears that the insects are stuck to saliva or some other specialized secretion.
And don't your great shots show the value of not spraying insects, Rick!
Woah, in awe of your frozen action shots with this little Honeyeater! Fabulous work! That is a great question about the bug in beak pile up, I certainly don't have the answer. Would have to be something to do with sticky spittle or something as other members have mentioned - wouldn't it?. So much we (I) take for granted in the bird world until it's pointed out hey.
West Coast Tasmania