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White-Cheeked Honeyeater


White-Cheeked Honeyeater
Photo Information
Copyright: Colin McQueen (McQueenca) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 131 W: 11 N: 226] (1387)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2011-12-08
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 7D, Canon EF 300 1:2.8 L IS II USM
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/160 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2013-01-23 3:42
Viewed: 2279
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Note
This photo was taken on Fraser Island Queensland. The photo has been cropped. It was taken early morning in sunny conditions.

White-cheeked Honeyeater
Phylidonyris niger
Meliphagidae

At first glance the White-cheeked Honeyeater appears similar to the New Holland Honeyeater, with which its range overlaps in south-eastern Queensland, eastern New South Wales and south-western Western Australia. Aside from appearing superficially similar, both species are active, noisy and pugnacious; both feed on nectar and fly erratically after flying insects; their calls are similar and they even both perform corroborees. Their facial markings are a key distinguishing difference: the White-cheeked Honeyeater was colloquially known as the ‘Moustached Honeyeater’, while the New Holland was called the ‘Bearded Honeyeater’!


Identification
Description

The White-cheeked Honeyeater is a medium-sized black and white honeyeater, with a long, sturdy bill that curves downwards. It has large bright yellow tail and wing panels, with a large conspicuous white cheek patch on a mainly black head. The eye is dark brown. Young birds are duller (brownish) and paler with softer, fluffier plumage. Gregarious, active and noisy with swift, erratic flight.

Similar Species

The New Holland Honeyeater, Phylidonyris novaehollandiae, is very similar in size, shape and appearance, but can be distinguished by its white eye. Other black and white honeyeaters are much smaller, including the Crescent (P. pyrrhoptera), Tawny-crowned (P. melanops) and White-fronted Honeyeaters (P. albifrons).

Location
Distribution

The White-cheeked Honeyeater is endemic to eastern and south-western Australia, ranging from east of the Great Divide in Queensland through coastal New South Wales, becoming scattered south to Jervis Bay. Also in south-western Western Australia and from Perth northwards to Murchison River.

Habitat

The White-cheeked Honeyeater is usually found in moist heathlands, as well as around wetlands and in forests or woodlands with a heath understorey. Found in both temperate and subtropical zones.

Behaviour
Feeding

White-cheeked Honeyeaters feed mainly at flowers, in foliage, on bark or in the air and mainly eat nectar, but also insects. They often feed in small groups and may feed beside New Holland Honeyeater groups.

Breeding

White-cheeked Honeyeaters pair monogamously for the breeding season, with males defending breeding territories that can be held for several years. Males aggressively attack other birds of their own and other species during the breeding season, but not familiar birds such as their own mates, relatives and resident neighbours. There is not much competition between White-cheeked and New Holland Honeyeaters, as they choose different perching sites and have different nesting seasons. The female builds a cup-shaped nest from twigs, bark, and other plant materials, lined with pieces of flowers (e.g. Banksias, Isopogons). The nest is placed low in forked branches of trees or shrubs, often close to the ground, but well-concealed in dense foliage or in grass below shrubs and ferns. Both parents feed young.

Source: www.birdlife.org.au
pirate, Hotelcalifornia, anel, maaciejka, CeltickRanger has marked this note useful
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To PeterZ: Re: JuvenileMcQueenca 1 01-23 13:01
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Colin
Great one with perfect bg and nice colors, compo just perfect
Tfs
Tom

Hi Colin

Beautiful bird on interesting perch presented in nice composition. The catch light and the glean right off the beak really catches the eye.
Thanks
Himanshu

Hi Colin,

Love the pose of this bird and composition but I find it slighlty soft.
I note that you have the same camera as myself, have you tried to tune the lens to the camera via the micro-adjustment menu, it can help sometimes.
TFS regards Bill.

Hello Colin,
What a nice picture again..beautiful colour and sharpness with blurry background.I like it.
kind regards,
Srikumar

你好
這鳥照的很漂亮 光線足 羽毛線條紋路清晰
加上綠色的樹 真是美極了
謝謝分享
晚安
STONE

hello Colin
very nice composition with good details and beautiful colours
thanks greeting lou

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 3053 W: 3 N: 8715] (40574)
  • [2013-01-23 8:06]

Hello Colin,
A very nice pose from behind showing well the plumage of the bird and a good lateral view of the head of this beautiful Honeyeater. A bird I never had seen before. Very fine natural colors, sharpness could be slightly improved.
Thanks a lot!
Anne

Hi Colin,
I like this bird. Nice point of view. Amazing colours. Great composition.
Thanks for sharing,
Maciek

Ciao Colin, great capture of lovely bird in nice pose on beautiful blurry BG, excellent sharpness, fine details, splendid light and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6595 W: 89 N: 15659] (65489)
  • [2013-01-23 11:28]

Hi Colin,it turn the head just in time for the pic,very nice and original point of view to see the side b of this nice specie,excellent exposure,details and colors.Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2013-01-23 12:17]
  • [+]

Hello Colin,
Very nice photo of this juvenile White-cheeked Honeyeater. Great sharpness, details and an attractive pose. Beautiful natural colours and a fine blurred background.
Regards,
Peter

Hello Colin

Excellent photo of this White-Cheeked Honeyeater,
the way its eye-contact by the back it is the
beauty of the image, with fine POV and framing
to obtain that, great focus, sharpness, details, TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • nagraj Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1618 W: 106 N: 3208] (15166)
  • [2013-01-24 5:13]

Hi,
Fine pose by this cute bird, good viewpoint and composition. tfs.
nagraj.v

Ciao Colin. Another interesting specie from you. Good details Amazing colours.

Roberto

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