Question on New Holland Honeyeater

[Denis Wilson <>]

Yes, it is pollen, as Philip has guessed.
The collection of pollen is very important as far as the plants are concerned, as that is how the bird acts as a vector for transferring pollen from one plant to another.

Interestingly Rosellas have bypassed the pollination function with the local Waratahs here in the Southern Highlands, by chewing off the entire individual floral tube. Thus preventing pollination of the target flowers. 
That is a very negative result for the plants.

If you are interested, I have photographic evidence on my blog:
http://peonyden.blogspot.com.au/2011/10/its-springtime-in-kangaloon.html

Denis Wilson
Thou shall not steal from future generations by impoverishing or poisoning the Earth.

"The Nature of Robertson"
www.peonyden.blogspot.com.au

On Fri, Jun 28, 2013 at 10:50 PM, Margaret Leggoe <> wrote:

Possibly it is pollen on the white feathers above the nose.  I have seen that, but in spring time when there were a lot of flowers around.

Margaret Leggoe

 

From: Philip Veerman [
Sent: Friday, 28 June 2013 9:41 PM
To: 'kym bradley';
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] Question on New Holland Honeyeater

 

I can't open the photos but the answer is the in adults, the sexes look the same with neither having a yellow face. HANZAB mentions only sex difference is that females may be smaller than males. Honeyeaters often have their face stained yellow from pollen. So my guess is it is that. If you have a pair, statistical likelihood is one is female and one male.

 

Philip 

 

-----Original Message-----From: kym bradley Sent: Friday, 28 June 2013 9:21 PM      To: m("canberrabirds.org.au","canberrabirds");" target="_blank">
Subject: [canberrabirds] Question on New Holland Honeyeater

Evening All

 

Today I had a visit from two new holland honeyeater/s I noted one has a yellow face, 

 

I was wondering if one is female and one male if so which is which please

 

http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/ag39/birdsofseaustralia/_MG_0216_zpsf918a30e.jpg

 

 

http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/ag39/birdsofseaustralia/_MG_0235_zpsa3bbdcb9.jpg

 

Also my over friendly Butcher Bird came in for a couple of visits today he has been around for a couple of weeks

 

 

http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/ag39/birdsofseaustralia/_MG_0136_zps40869b02.jpg

 

http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/ag39/birdsofseaustralia/_MG_0141_zpse0adf640.jpg

 

Cheers