Brown Honeyeater
Although the Eastern Spinebill is sometimes called Australia’s hummingbird due to its ability to hover while gathering nectar - the diminutive Brown Honeyeater is no slouch in this department either!
Hovering behaviour actually occurs more frequently than thought, not only in terms of the range of avian species but also in its occurrence within species. Recent research found that neither the geographical distribution of bird species nor their traits (size, body mass) are a limiting factor for hovering behaviour, but that plant traits are important. Quite simply when perches at the plants are inadequate or lacking, hovering is then more appropriate or necessary
Brown Honeyeater
Although the Eastern Spinebill is sometimes called Australia’s hummingbird due to its ability to hover while gathering nectar - the diminutive Brown Honeyeater is no slouch in this department either!
Hovering behaviour actually occurs more frequently than thought, not only in terms of the range of avian species but also in its occurrence within species. Recent research found that neither the geographical distribution of bird species nor their traits (size, body mass) are a limiting factor for hovering behaviour, but that plant traits are important. Quite simply when perches at the plants are inadequate or lacking, hovering is then more appropriate or necessary