Wildlife: Birdie (a member of the genus "Snack" sp. unknown)

[stephbg]

I'm sure local twitchers will have no trouble in identifying this little bird for me. I see a lot of them in my garden and they really seem to enjoy the thickets that I cultivate^ for their protection. I'd say this is a bug eater by the look of that beak, but I could be wrong (brain not really in a bird-identifying space right now).





We get a huge variety of birds at Sector 7, but I don't usually make the attempt to capture them on film/pixels.





Did I mention I struggle with moving subjects? These little critters sure know how to move.





(^) Cultivate as in make no major efforts to either kill or encourage. It's best that way.

Comments

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

Looks like it could be a New Holland honeyeater, but Gemfyre will know for sure. :)

[gemfyre.livejournal.com]

Certainly is. :) And despite being called a honeyeater, they do eat mainly bugs (but they'll also drink nectar when it's available).

[stephbg.livejournal.com]

I'm glad it does eat bugs; I was beginning to feel bio-shame.

[gemfyre.livejournal.com]

Have a close listen when you see them hawking, you can sometimes hear their beaks snapping when they grab an insect.

When the ants get wings and fly about the birds go crazy catching and eating them.

[ozdragonlady.livejournal.com]

yup
New Holland Hondeyeater

[rdmasters.livejournal.com]

I concur. New Holland Honeyeater, not White-cheeked.

It is all in the eyes.

[leecetheartist.livejournal.com]

New Holland Honeyeater. Watch out for the very similar White Cheeked Honeyeater, whose eyes are dark. WCH's also have more white on their cheek patches.