Eastern Spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris)

Description:

The Eastern Spinebill is a beautiful bird, up to 160mm long with a long, dark, curved beak.

It has a black head and a white throat with a black line like a collar partially separates the white of the throat from the rufous chest. There is a brown patch on the throat. The tail feathers are dark but the outer feathers have white tips.

Juveniles and females are duller and a bit smaller.

Distribution:

Eastern Spinebils are found throughout eastern and southern Australia in forest, woodland and heath.

Comments:

Eastern Spinebills are honeyeaters. They can often be seen hovering as they feed on nectar from hard to get to flowers. They seem very fond of banksias and other proteas.

Taxonomy: