Eastern spinebill

The eastern spinebill is a charming, small honeyeater native to southeastern Australia, frequently observed in forests, woodlands, and urban gardens in cities such as Canberra, Sydney, and Melbourne. Measuring approximately 15 cm in length, it is easily identified by its striking black, white, and chestnut plumage, red eyes, and distinctively long, curved bill.

First described by John Latham in 1801 as Certhia tenuirostris, the eastern spinebill belongs to the genus Acanthorhynchus. It is a polytypic species, encompassing several subspecies.

Closely related to the western spinebill, scientists believe both species evolved from a common ancestor, adapting to climatic changes by dispersing into different regions. Recent DNA studies reveal that these spinebills form a unique clade, making them a sister group to all other honeyeaters.

Male eastern spinebills are particularly striking with their black heads, white throats featuring a chestnut patch, red irises, brownish-red napes, grey-brown backs, and pale cinnamon underparts. Females are somewhat duller in comparison, while juveniles have their own distinct coloration. Their call is a clear, high-pitched, staccato piping sound that is unmistakable.

These birds thrive in a variety of habitats, from dry sclerophyll forests and scrublands to heathlands and urban gardens. They primarily feed on nectar from various plants, including gum trees, mistletoes, and members of the Proteaceae family. They also consume small insects and invertebrates.

The breeding season for the eastern spinebill extends from August to January, during which time they construct nests in small bushy trees or shrubs.

Although their diet is predominantly nectar-based, eastern spinebills are well-adapted to endure periods of nectar scarcity. They can store fat, increase their feeding time, or adjust their metabolic rates to cope with these conditions. Interestingly, these adaptable birds have been observed feeding on exotic plants like fuchsias when native nectar sources are not available.