I've only been birding for about 8 months now and I just moved here from the US. I'm hoping for some help.
I think this is a Female Superb Fairy-wren or a male after molting. I'm not sure when the birds breed here.
I'm pretty sure this is a Black-chinned Honeyeater. You can't see the black chin in the pic, but I did see it with my Bino's. I'm confused because it's so green, and I couldn't see it's legs.
I have the Simpson and Day 8th Addtion Field Guide to the birds of AU, is that the best book? I'm in Mackay, QSL.
Thanks
Chris
I think the bottom bird is more likely a white-throated honeyeater. I don't think the top bird is a wren, the tail should be vertical. Not sure what it is, it does look familiar.
Your second bird is a blue-faced honeyeater and I think your first one might be a helmeted friarbird, but I must admit I've never seen one looking so plump and small!
Hey GregL,
Thanks for the response. The tail isn't up on the female superb fairy-wren in the pic on this website, but the beak is a different color.
Hey Amateur,
I just looked that the friarbird pics on the web and it's not one of those, I'm sure of that.
Thanks for all the help!
Chris
My first thought was that, without a doubt, the first picture is of a Little Friarbird, and the second is a Blue-faced Honeyeater. I feel 100% sure of that.
The two species often fight. They're noisy things when they get going!
Andy.
Hi Andy, I have been looking at my books for quite some time now.I agree,the second one is a Blue-faced Honeyeater.I was very surprised to read, that I should find them down here in Victoria,and even beeing secure,as I have never seen one.( The first bird, one thing is certain,it is not any kind of wren.)
M-L
Hi Araminta,
Yes it's interesting, isn't it, that we can live within a certain bird's range but never see it? I suppose it's related to habitat. Even though I live within the range of the Little Wattlebird, for example, I never see them at my house. But they're at my Mum's house a few suburbs away.
The first photo - I still think without doubt that it is a Little Friarbird. The leathery blue-gray patch under its eye is a good indication. To me, it appears to be a Little Friarbird that is "hunched". We have many of them around where I live.
Oaks17, welcome to Aus. I hope you enjoy the birds you see here.
Regards,
Andy.
Thanks so much for everybodies help. I had my Bino's on both of these birds for a long time on Sunday. I'm currently staying in Downtown Mackay. First the Honeyeater landed in this tree and about 15 minutes later the friarbird landed there, but they didn't fight or interact with each other.
After looking up photos of the blue-faced honeyeater and the little friarbird, I am 100% sure that these are correct. The black chin on the honeyeater got me.
My field guide is drawings, What do you guys recommend for a field book with actual pictures in it. That helps me alot to see actual pictures.
Thanks again
Chris
Hi again Chris, like you, I use Simpson&Day,after I get some idea of what if could be, I look at the location. With those narrowed down ideas, I look at different photos on the Bird Finder or the net. By then you should have a fair picture of what bird it might be. That's me, I don't know what others do? Anyway, welcome to the forum and Australia, hope you'll like it!!
M-L
Gidday Oaks, Little Friarbird and Blue faced honey eater are very common at my place as I live in Mackay to.
Agree with the second one being a Blue-faced HE. If it was a Black-chinned HE the bill would be black, but here it's a lighter colour of the Blue-faced HE. Also there is appears to be colour under the eye as seen in a Blue-faced HE. A Black-chinned HE wouldn't have colour under the eye only above and I imagine it would be hard to see in this image.
.
The first image can't be a female Superb Fairy-wren or Helmeted Friarbird. The white under the eye and the black under that is seen in neither bird. The bill and body shape looks wrong for Helmeted Friarbird.
Not sure what it is though unfortunately.
Gelmir, it's a Little Friarbird.
Thanks Andy, I didn't read your post correctly.
I saw that little Friarbird in the same tree today. It was fighting with 2 rainbow lorikeets.