Eastern Spinebill symbiosis [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

[John Harris <>]

I see them every month of the year around Gungahlin but they are definitely a winter bird or perhaps it is a pretty bird which hangs around in Winter and gives me pleasure. I see them much more in winter and spring than summer

From: Suzanne EDGAR <>
Date: Friday, 24 June 2016 at 11:16 AM
To: "'Baird, Ian'" <>, 'Mark Clayton' <m("bigpond.com","chollop7");">>, 'Nathanael Coyne' <m("purecaffeine.com","nat");">>, chatline <>
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] Eastern Spinebill symbiosis [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

Have them here in Garran; usually first sign of Autumn; leave in spring

Sz

 

From: Baird, Ian
Sent: Friday, 24 June 2016 9:49 AM
To: Mark Clayton <>; 'Nathanael Coyne' <m("purecaffeine.com","nat");">>; 'COG' <m("canberrabirds.org.au","canberrabirds");">>
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] Eastern Spinebill symbiosis [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

 

Eastern Spinebills observed/heard most days in winter/spring. Hey don’t always call, so can be missed. Usually appear when Red Wattlebirds are absent. 2 birds not unknown, but mostly singles at my place in Fairfax St O’Connor quite close to reserves. Always visiting flowering Grevilleas or Correas. Not often in company with other species, which appears to be incidental rather than preferred.

Ian Baird

 

From: Mark Clayton
Sent: Friday, 24 June 2016 9:31 AM
To: 'Nathanael Coyne'; 'COG'
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] Eastern Spinebill symbiosis

 

I only ever get Eastern Spinebills as single individuals in my yard.. I would imagine that the distance from the nearest patch of “bush” would have some bearing on just what turns up in people’s gardens.

 

Mark

 

From: Nathanael Coyne
Sent: Friday, 24 June 2016 8:40 AM
To: COG
Subject: [canberrabirds] Eastern Spinebill symbiosis

 

Symbiosis may be too strong a word, but whenever I see Eastern Spinebills in my neighbourhood they're always hanging around with and following a flock of smaller birds, usually Silvereyes or Superb Fairy-wrens.

 

Anyone else noticed this?

 

At the ANBG the Spinebills are usually content to forage solo, but here they seem to prefer the company of other species.

 

Of course, it's entirely possible I'm only noticing the visiting Spinebills that are in the company of large noisy flocks and am missing the individuals who silently and quickly move through the garden.

 

Nathanael Coyne

www.purecaffeine.com

Canberra, Australia
0431 698 580

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