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Description
The eastern spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris) is a species of honeyeater found in south-eastern Australia in forest and woodland areas, as well as gardens in urban areas of Sydney and Melbourne. It is around 15 cm long, and has a distinctive black, white and chestnut plumage, a red eye, and a long downcurved bill.

The eastern spinebill forms a superspecies with the closely related western spinebill. [5] Scientists believe the two sister species are descended from a shared ancestor whose once widespread populations were separated by climate change. During a past period of desertification, that ancestor species retreated to refuges in the south western and south eastern corners of the continent, and evolved into the two present-day spinebill species. [6] Recent DNA studies have shown that the two spinebills belong to a clade which is a sister taxon to all other honeyeaters. [7

The male eastern spinebill is 13–16 cm (5–6.5 in) long, and has a long thin downcurved black bill with a black head, white throat with a reddish patch and red iris. It has a brownish-red nape, a grey brown back and pale cinnamon underparts. The dark tail is tipped with white laterally. Females and juveniles are smaller and duller. The call is a rapid piping

Source Reference: Wikipedia

© DPasschier. All rights reserved. My images may not be reproduced or used in any form without my permission.

Description
The eastern spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris) is a species of honeyeater found in south-eastern Australia in forest and woodland areas, as well as gardens in urban areas of Sydney and Melbourne. It is around 15 cm long, and has a distinctive black, white and chestnut plumage, a red eye, and a long downcurved bill.

The eastern spinebill forms a superspecies with the closely related western spinebill. [5] Scientists believe the two sister species are descended from a shared ancestor whose once widespread populations were separated by climate change. During a past period of desertification, that ancestor species retreated to refuges in the south western and south eastern corners of the continent, and evolved into the two present-day spinebill species. [6] Recent DNA studies have shown that the two spinebills belong to a clade which is a sister taxon to all other honeyeaters. [7

The male eastern spinebill is 13–16 cm (5–6.5 in) long, and has a long thin downcurved black bill with a black head, white throat with a reddish patch and red iris. It has a brownish-red nape, a grey brown back and pale cinnamon underparts. The dark tail is tipped with white laterally. Females and juveniles are smaller and duller. The call is a rapid piping

Source Reference: Wikipedia

© DPasschier. All rights reserved. My images may not be reproduced or used in any form without my permission.