Where Rainbowbirds go

At this time of year you can hear the distinctive trill of Rainbow Bee-eaters overhead in the bush around Newstead. Once they finish breeding – adults and immatures gather into loose feeding flocks, chasing insects in the hot mid-summer air. This is a prelude to their departure from our district – as the weather cools into autumn these flocks head north for the winter. With such an active aerial lifestyle their energy demands are large and there is simply not enough food to sustain them locally throughout the year. Late yesterday I came across a small flock feeding high above Mia Mia Track  – a couple descended to perch briefly above me before resuming their feeding.

Rainbow Bee-eaters, Mia Mia Track, 18th February 2012.

The Rainbowbirds were a nice distraction from watching honeyeaters at the waterhole. A flock of Brown-headed Honeyeaters and a lone immature White-naped Honeyeater the highlight amongst their ever-present Fuscous and Yellow-tufted relatives.

Brown-headed Honeyeaters, Mia Mia Track, 18th Febuary 2012.

Immature White-naped Honeyeater - note the pale gape and orange skin above the eye.