A couple of times in the past I’ve mentioned that Little Wattlebirds don’t visit my place, surmising it’s because home to me is a patch of Swampy Riparian Woodland (EVC 83) and Little Wattlebirds tend to prefer drier areas. Well, recently that changed and a noisy new species arrived, species number 141.
1/1600, f/5.0, ISO 1000
Canon R5, Canon RF 600 f/4L IS USM
Their feather markings are extraordinarily fascinating, with tiny arrows flecking the various shades of brown and creamy white. And they are extraordinarily noisy! They have a loud, unmusical call that is used to announce their superior presence in the japonica and to intimidate other honeyeaters.
1/1600, f/5.0, ISO 1000
Canon R5, Canon RF 600 f/4L IS USM
Most of the time this large honeyeater was ensconced amongst the tangled branches of the japonica but occasionally it briefly ventured to a more isolated branch, to sip nectar with its brush-tipped tongue. I took these photographs from my driveway in the late afternoon sun. There were other things I was supposed to be doing but when I saw the light, and heard the birds, I was happy to be distracted.
Happy birding, Kim
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Lovely to discover your website Kim. Enjoyed reading your journey on the beginnings page and the iterations of equipment changes!
The Little Wattlebird has such strange calls, I find them quite funny. When I have stayed up the coast they do wake me up much earlier than I would like!
Take care
John
I’m glad you’re enjoying lirralirra John, I’ve just watched your video of wetlands in the rain and was super impressed. The weather here atm is very similar so I felt really immersed in the sights you were seeing.
Thank you for checking out that video Kim! Apologies I missed the email notification of your reply. Out of interest, does your bird species count (e.g. 141) represent the number of species you’ve discovered that has entered or is visible from your backyard? If so that is mighty impressive!
Yes, 141 species at my place. I realised after I hit ‘publish’ that I hadn’t made that clear. There are a couple of new calls here at the moment that I haven’t ID’d yet… I hope they are newbies too rather than calls I haven’t heard for a while. I’ve just watched another of your reels and absolutely love the swan and cygnets riding the ‘waves’
That wattle birds are very early risers and I believe they are among the most UNmusical of our birds. Their asthmatic cough is frequently the first bird call I hear in the early morning. We mostly get the red wattle birds though ‘vagrant’ little wattle birds are known to pass through. Our red wattle birds are currently delighting in the camellias.
They are remarkably feisty and swear at people, birds and cats.
Thank you for these lovely captures of the small charmer.
I think you are right about their lack of musicality! What a racket they make. I used to have a camellia here until someone ‘accidentally’ dug it up…
Beaut shots as usual Kim, for me though, unusual to see a Wattlebird without a wattle…
Pity we can’t post pics here, I have a some beaut shots of Red Wattlebirds in our garden.
Cheers,
Ron.
What an interesting point about the wattle! I’d never thought of that. Maybe we should rename it Little Wattlelessbird. Could you share your shots in the comments on my lirralirra fb page?