This fuzzy photo is my attempt to focus on a Singing Honeyeater nest in our garden. It was taken a few weeks ago in early October when the nest was being built. At the time two birds were busily gathering twigs, leaves and cobwebs to build this beautifully constructed cup-shaped nest.
Now the egg(s) have been laid and the birds are incubating the eggs. One bird is spending most of the day sitting on the nest. It's so well hidden in the nest, you can just glimpse its black beak poking out.
There are two birds, but just one seems to be on the nest. She flies out for brief breaks throughout the day.
According to my Australian bird guide book the incubation stage for Singing Honeyeaters is 10-14 days. I'll keep a careful watch over the next few days, so as not to scare them off!
1 comment:
Yes, October and 10days ago the tiny Honey-eater built a nest in my large Geranium bush. Sadly, three days ago she/they disappeared. I can only surmise that a Rat got her as the flower, above the leaves under which she was artfully hidden in her minute but wonderfully woven nest, was broken. Neither she nor her partner would have been heavy enough to break this flower stem. And after she had weathered the storm on Friday- Saturday, although the corner they had chosen was fairly protected.
Then, Wednesday I and the dogs went into the gazebo to breakfast & were protested out by another Honeyeater who had made a nest in a hanging sculpture - must safer away from the jaws & claws of Rats as there is only a plastic flex suspending this sculpture. So, we will not be able to use the gazebo - a daily ritual, for breakfast for a month when any fledgelings have flown the coop. Sigh!!
Does the male make the nest [I was hoping this was same couple that abandoned Geranium]or is it a joint effort?
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