The Eastern Spinebills, Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris, is a species of honeyeater found in south-eastern Australia in forest and woodland areas, as well as gardens in urban areas of Sydney and Melbourne. Some populations exist in Tasmania.
The Eastern Spinebill, with its down-curved bill, is one of Australia’s most attractive and captivating small birds. Although it is small, its appearance is anything other than plain. The males can be identified by their black caps and distinctive facial masks, while the females have a softer colouring. The dark stripes that run down their chests are striking, and their crisp white tail edges flash in the air when they take flight. Young birds have plain buff underparts with brownish upper feathers. But even then, the long, curved bill makes them stand out from other species, like the female Scarlet Honeyeater.
They are lively little bees that zip between flowers, shrubs and native plants to find nectar. They are often found in forested areas, but also enjoy urban gardens and parks. They are fast-moving and rarely stop for long. Their call is a sharp, loud and repeated piping whistle.
Description:
It has a distinctive black, white and chestnut plumage, a red eye, and a long downcurved bill.
13-16 cm (5-6 in) long, the male Eastern Spinebill has a long, thin downcurved black bill with a black head, white throat with a reddish patch and red iris. It has a brownish-red nape, a grey brown back and pale cinnamon underparts. The dark tail is tipped with white laterally.
Females and juveniles are smaller and duller.
Behaviour
Eastern Spinebills tend to be more active in the morning when nectar is flowing, and flowers are most open. They are usually seen in pairs or small groups, but can also be found together in large numbers, particularly where there is plenty of food. They may form loose temporary flocks in areas where there are many flowering plants. This includes Silvereyes and Warblers. They are especially active during cooler months, when nectar is more difficult to find.
Winter brings out the competitive nature of these birds, particularly in males. Males are known to aggressively defend prime nectar spots and chase away smaller females to monopolise food sources. This can result in higher female mortality rates during harsh winters. Eastern Spinebills are small and often low in the pecking order of birds. They will retreat quickly if they’re confronted with larger species, such as the more dominant New Holland Honeyeater. They are clever, fast, and persistent despite their small size.
Diet / Feeding
The Eastern Spinebill feeds on nectar from many plants, including the blooms of gum trees, mistletoes Amyema spp., Epacris longiflora, Epacris impressa, Correa reflexa, and various members of the Proteaceae such as Banksia ericifolia, Banksia integrifolia, Lambertia formosa and Grevillea speciosa, as well as small insects and other invertebrate animals without an internal skeleton, such as larvae, earthworms, millipedes, snails, and spiders. According to Cornell Lab of Ornithology, this species is well documented.
A 1982 study in the New England National Park in North-eastern New South Wales found that there was a large influx of birds coinciding with the start of flowering of Banksia spinulosa there. They have been known to feed from exotic plants such as Fuchsias. According to eBird, this species is well documented.
Breeding / Reproduction
Breeding season is from August to December, with one or two broods raised. The nest is a deep cup-shaped structure of grass and bark lined with feathers, generally in the fork of a small bushy tree or shrub.
The clutch is 1-4, with 2 being the average, pinkish eggs with dark reddish brown blotches and spots, 17 x 13 mm in size. The female incubates the eggs for between 13 to 16 days before hatching. Both parents feed the chicks and remove the faecal sacks from the nest.
Calls / Vocalisation
Eastern Spinebill’s voice is clear and distinct, with its high-pitched “pip pip pip” call, which is repeated rapidly. Their call is loud, even though they are small. This is especially true in forests where the sound echoes off of trees. The song is not very elaborate, but once heard, it’s easy to recognise. This helps birdwatchers locate these fast and active nectar-feeders.
Habitat
The Eastern Spinebill can be found in dense forest, woodlands and shrublands with abundant flowering native plants. They prefer habitats with a dense understory, which gives them enough cover to move between the blossoms and rest safely. They are often found in rainforests, but they can also be seen at high elevations. They can thrive in many different environments in southeast Australia. This includes New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and parts of Queensland.
The adaptability of Eastern Spinebills to suburban living is one of their most appealing traits. They are frequent visitors to parks and gardens in urban areas, particularly those with native plants that produce nectar, such as grevilleas and correas. Individuals often move locally to search for flowering plants. Their movements are seasonal. Although they may appear solitary, they can become quite social when there is plenty of food. They are a great addition to any garden, welcoming wildlife.
Taxonomy
Originally described as Certhia tenuirostris by ornithologist John Latham in 1802, it is a member of the small genus Acanthorhynchus with one other, the Western Spinebill of Western Australia.
The generic name is derived from the Greek translation of its common name, namely acantho-/ακανθο- “spine” and rhynchos/ρυνχος “bill”. Its specific name is from Latin tenuis “narrow”, and rostrum, meaning ” beak “.
It belongs to the honeyeater family Meliphagidae. More recently, DNA analysis has shown honeyeaters to be related to the Pardalotidae, and the Petroicidae (Australian robins) in a large corvid superfamily; some researchers consider all these families in a broadly defined Corvidae.
