Sunday 14 September 2014

Wallaby with Brown-headed Honeyeater, Mt Samaria State Park VIC

Brown-headed honeyeater plucking wallaby's fur for nest

The Brown-headed Honeyeater is quite common around these parts. It collects fur from animals to line its nest and one can be seen on the flank of this old swamp wallaby. She did not seem to mind the bird plucking fur from her.

6 comments:

  1. Took took me a while to spot the bird.

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  2. Unfortunately, the honeyeater didn't stick around for long. We were lucky to get even this shot.

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  3. Nice shot! Do they also clean ticks from a mammal's fur? Or is it just after material for a nest?

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    1. No, it's just plucking fur for its nest. Kangaroo fur would make the perfect lining for a nest -- certainly more luxurious than the scrap of frost cloth Alan found lining an old fairy wren's nest here at home. :)

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  4. wow, this is an amazing shot! I wouldn't have noticed the honeyeater, had you not mentioned it! I have learned something new about this beautiful little bird. Great shot of the gorgeous Swamp Wallaby also.

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    1. Thanks. We didn't know either until we saw it. Researching it, it appears that koala fur is also sought-after nesting lining.

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