Myzomela obscura or Dusky Mysomela ... the Dusky Honeyeater. It's not a flashy, colourful eye-catching bird, but the Dusky Honeyeater does have its own special charm. It's a common garden visitor to my garden and often goes unnoticed because of its dull colouring. It doesn't stand out amongst the exuberant colours of the tropical flowers. It's a small brown thing, but very active and fast moving. I've seen a few of them around lately after the rains arrived last month. They've been feasting on the nectar of so many of the flowers that have burst into bloom since the raindrops have started falling. It also has the most delightful song. The link below will take you to a site where you can listen to the call of the Dusky Honeyeater. http://www.graemechapman.com.au/library/sounds.php?r=&c=251&p=236&s=1362581432
Happy to share, Kildale. I'm so lucky to be able to see so many different varieties of birds here. This particular fellow is perhaps one of the more unappreciated ones.
Spot on, BT. Great point. The Dusky Honeyeaters around here just love Hibiscus, Russelia and Calliandra flowers.
Hi. A lovely little bird and good pics - its description being very diminutive fits our Dunnock nicely which also is n0t flashy but has nice habits, a quaint song and much charm. Great.
So many little birds, like your honeyeater, get overlooked because of their colouring. People hear the sweet song and seem to think the bird singing should be showy but I have a real soft spot for plain birds. If you look closely at them they have some outstanding features. Your honeyeater has a bill that's just right for it to get to the nectar it feeds on which makes it stand out from the crowd in my opinion. Thanks again for taking the time to educate us about this little visitor to your garden. I'm glad to know that you, like me, plant to attract wildlife.
Thanks Sydney Smith, Eileen, cherylad and Tooty2shoes. Plain birds deserve a lot more attention don't they? They do have a unique beauty all their own.
Hi Bernieh. A very similar bird we have here also with a curved beak but with white front is the Treecreeper - this does its feeding probing into the crevices in tree trunks / branches . I mentioned the Dunnock and heres a pic of one - it behaves as I described it but also has the quaint habit of flicking its wings and tail as it moves along on the ground/grass etc. Really enjoyed your pics of the Honeyeater. Syd.
The Dunnock is a little cutie. Love the photo. It really helps when I can see a picture of a bird that's unknown to me.
Hi Bernieh. They are super little birds and plain or not are definitely one of my favourites. In last garden every single day they were about and one did build a nest in a conifer very close - say six feet away from the bungalow. It is over here popularly also known as a Hedge Sparrow but no connection with the House variety. Have a pic or two of the one that nested - if I can find I will edit the pics onto here for you. Edit. Bernieh. Pics of that Dunnock/Hedge Sparrow feeding family - nest is in conifer on right of pics. Syd.
