Two descriptions of the pictured, “secretive” species:
Red-eared firetails are usually only glimpsed briefly, if at all, as they move rapidly and discreetly through their habitat. (Wikipedia)
It is a solitary species and is generally found in the most retired spots in the thickets, where its mournful, slowly drawn-out note only serves to add to the loneliness of the place. Its powers of flight, although sometimes rapid, would seem to be feeble, as they are merely employed to remove it from tree to tree. The natives of the mountain districts of Western Australia have a tradition that the first bird of this species speared a dog and drank its blood, and thus obtained its red bill. (John Gilbert, as cited in John Gould’s Handbook, published in 1865)
The presence of a feeding station and a birdbath greatly boosted our ability to observe Stagonopleura oculata, the red-eared firetail.
Arguably/inarguably the most arresting of Australia’s five firetail finches, this species lives only in thickly-vegetated places in near-coastal, southwest Western Australia.
This series will include some more detailed images of red-eared firetails, and also feature some other birds in feeding mode – with and without “feeder” assistance.
(two small bird species species that we saw were a deal more reclusive; not once, over 11 days, did I see either of them venture to the feeding station)
Photo is copyright Doug Spencer, taken near Youngs Siding – between Albany & Denmark – at 5.43 pm on 06 February 2025.
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