Regent Bowerbirds eating honey??

[Thyer <>]

Hi all,
A group of us  had  an unusual sighting in Eungella National Park on Wed
2  Dec. Several Regent Bowerbirds, along with Eastern Spine bills
Eungella Honeyeaters and Lewins Honeyeaters were seen repeatedly
entering and leaving a hole, or more accurately, a split in the tree
trunk just above a branch in a rainforest tree about 18 - 20 metres from
the ground. When they emerged they would preen  and shake themselves
momentarily before either re-entering the hole or flying off. I don't
think they were drinking water because, through the telescope no water
spray could be seen as they shook themselves, and there was plenty of
other places to drink, since recent rain had left many pools on the
ground. There were insects flying around the vicinity of the opening so
I think it must have been a native beehive that they were raiding.
I was unaware that the Bowerbirds would actually feed off honey. Has
anyone else seen this before?
                Regards,
                        Les Thyer