Since the 30th April Ms Woko & I have had a combined 12 observations of a bird that, at first, looked very much like a White-plumed Honeyeater. It had the general yellow & yellow/green appearance of a White-plumed Honeyeater but the oustanding feature for us was the significant dark eye ring. The bird was near or on our bird bath for less than a second in each of the sightings as it was either disturbed by attacking New Holland Honeyeaters or my putting my binoculars up to my face. So we haven't been able to get a photo yet nor have we been able to check the position & colour of any plume to see if it is yellow (Fuscous) rather than white (White-plumed). Nor have we heard the bird call. However, we're very confident that what we've been seeing is a Fuscous Honeyeater, a first for us on our property.
On consulting Simpson & Day, Morcombe & a very old, well-thumbed but spineless Pizzey, it seems that there are huge variations in the colours people see when looking at a Fuscous Honeyeater, from very dark brown (Pizzey), to light to moderate brown (Morcombe) to yellow & yellow/green (Simpson & Day). Either that or there are huge regional variations in this species' colours. However, the Simpson & Day presentation was much, much closer to what we saw than the other two field guides.
I also note that where we live on the s.e. slopes of the Mt Lofty Ranges is at the western extremity of the Fuscous Honeyeater range so it's feasible from that angle that we've seen a Fuscous Honeyeater.
Other members' thoughts would be gratefully received.
Sounds right to me. Fuscous Honeyeaters are brown/yellow. WP Honeyeaters are more olive-green with a clear white plume. Their calls are very different from one antoher. The Fuscous call is a repeated, rolling, churring series of notes, almost blurred, not as clear or defined as a WP Honeyeater's song. Hope that helps, Lorne.
A light grey meets dull olive-green really for the WP. Highlights of yellow on face and wings. Lorne
A photograph list can be very helpfull
Fuscous
White-plumed
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Thanks & hmmm. That Fuscous Honeyeater looks more brown than the bird which has been visiting us. But there's no doubt about its black eye ring. I'm keen to post a photo to see what people think.
Just for reference. My pic was taken at Chiltern, Victoria.
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Update.
I saw this bird again today, complete with its black eye ring, & heard its call which was identical to a, wait for it, a White-plumed Honeyeater!
Woko - we have to get you a camera as a picture tells ..................
Peter
Every time I go looking for this bird with my camera it stays carefully hidden. My patience is holding up, however, motivated by my extreme curiosity which, I hope, will deal with any cat that may be threatening.