Draw some little legs on a wooden handled cobbler’s awl (even with my lack of skill) and you would have something resembling an Eastern Spinebill.
In the old days they were often referred to as Cobbler’s Awl Birds, and I’m sure that beak could pierce boot leather. It can also weave a pretty good home for its offspring.
Cobbler’s Awl seems as though it should be ‘Cobblers All’ when applied to the Eastern Spinebill, or white-throated honey-eater, the construction of their nests showing workmanship the equal of any shoemaker. The outer part is beautifully woven and the inside lined with feathers of larger birds, which are secured quill end downwards and the curved soft end made to form a canopy over the eggs to protect them from the wind and cold, and maybe from prying eyes. (Sydney Morning Herald, Jan. 18 1936).
By the way, they lay two to four pinkish eggs.
A rare moment of reflection,
I took this photo on a very wet day when Eastern Spinebills were virtually the only birds about. Even in bad weather they need to feed almost constantly as they burn so much energy. They hover as they feed like hummingbirds and shoot around the garden at top speed. So purposeful are they in flight that they often almost collide with me and I feel the wind of their wings on my face. I have never experienced this with any other bird.
Trying to keep warm on a damp day.
This old poem captures their charm. Yes, they do come in blossom time, but as many Australian natives flower all year round we have the pleasure of these sweet birds every day.
It is not just native flowers that attract Spinebills though.
The spinebills adore star jasmine too.
Fragrant Daphne flowers in mid winter here in the Blue Mountains It looks even better decorated with an Eastern Spinebill.
The following piece was published the Portland Guardian in 1943.
‘The Eastern Spinebill, during the recent severe autumn, was a saving grace. His beautiful clear call. ‘Chink! Chink! Chink! tink-tink-tink! resonant and mellow as a golden bell, brightened the dullest days. And, wet or fine, cloud or sunshine, he still carries on. Cheerfully shaking out drenched plumage, giving his cheery heartening call, hovering and catapulting, he goes his daily round through gardens where honey-bearing flowers may be found. A gallant little bird he is, putting up a hard fight for his daily bread in days of adversity.‘
Here are some of the regular stops on the nectar trail in my Blackheath garden.
BOTTLEBRUSH
Mountain Devil flowers are a favourite.
Correa Alba
It’s not that common to see an Eastern in the birdbaths, but oddly enough this one was bathing on a rainy morning.
Sometimes I spot one perching on my cute, metal decoration.
In 2016 a great honour was bestowed on this delightful bird. It featured along with wattle on the new, five dollar polymer bank note. A unique security addition was a central, clear panel. If you tilt the note the tiny bird in the panel appears to change colour and fly.
Something to sing about, that’s for sure.
A morning song.
FOR MORE ON THE EASTERN SPINEBILL, CLICK HERE.
