Wildlife mid 2009

[Paul T]

If the question is serious...... "honeyeater" is a generic term for those birds which are nectar feeders.  I didn't realise it wasn't a term used overseas?

[Lori S.]

The term "honeyeater" seems to be used in Australia and Africa... the same niche is filled in the New World by hummingbirds and sunbirds.

EDIT: Nope, I'm wrong... sunbirds are Old World too.

[Paul T]

Thanks Lori.  Until Anthony's question I had no idea it wasn't a "universal" term.

Thanks again.

[Anthony Darby]

Yes Paul, honey is made by bees; nectar is made by flowers. There is a bird in Africa called the honey guide which feeds on bees wax, but leads a honey badger to the nest (wild bee hive). The badger wrecks the nest, feeding on the honey and grubs and the honey guide feeds on the scattered remains.

[Rogan]

"If the question is serious...... "honeyeater" is a generic term for those birds which are nectar feeders."

Lori's right, here we have sunbirds to harvest our nectar and "honeysuckers" to empty our septic tanks!!!   

My distant, blurry shot (Paul, where's your camera!?) of a colourful sunbird on an aloe flower:

[Luc Gilgemyn]

may be a bit blurry Rogan - but still very colourful !! 

[Stephenb]

A friend was in Ireland and observed a flock of Starlings feeding on Phormium nectar in a hotel garden. Are there other species that have learnt feeding on nectar of southern hemisphere species?

[Paul T]

Yes Paul, honey is made by bees; nectar is made by flowers. There is a bird in Africa called the honey guide which feeds on bees wax, but leads a honey badger to the nest (wild bee hive). The badger wrecks the nest, feeding on the honey and grubs and the honey guide feeds on the scattered remains.

Yes Anthony, I was aware that bees make honey and I was aware that nectar was made by flowers, hence my comment that "honeyeaters" was a generic term for nectar feeding birds.  The term is so commonly used here and I have heard it used on foreign documentaries at times, so I was unaware that it was not used in all countries.

It is difficult to not offend people by using colloquial terms when one is not aware that something IS a colloquial term. 

[Anthony Darby]

Hey Paul, not trying to take or cause offence, just clarifying matters.

[Paddy Tobin]

Here are two photographs taken today while visiting a herd of wild goat which are located almost right in the centre of the town where I live. There is a warden who cares for them and they have several acres in which to roam. It is throught they were introduced several centuries ago, became feral over the years and have lived as wild goats since then. There is another wild herd about ten miles away.

Despite their rather fierce looks they are relatively quiet; not quiet enough to allow you to come very close but they are calm in one's presence once you don't come too close and those horns would encourage you to keep your distance.

The first photograph shows a new bridge being constructed over the river. Construction is almost complete. I live just to the left of the bridge.

Paddy

[Anthony Darby]

Hey, maybe there's an opening for a retired person under that bridge next to the gruff goats?

[Paddy Tobin]

A few bugs for Anthony' comments, taken on a walk near home recently.

Paddy

[Paddy Tobin]

Finally, you may now breathe your sigh of relief, a group of bees feeding on Echinops ritro seen in a garden visited recently and a photograph of my dog, Sid, running back towards me in a field of barley.

Paddy

[Paddy Tobin]

Hey, maybe there's an opening for a retired person under that bridge next to the gruff goats?

OK Anthony Darby, Mr. Smartypants. There already is a retired gentleman in residence under that bridge and is staying there.

Paddy

[Maggi Young]

Super photos, Paddy, looks like you are still getting very nice weather.

The goats are very handsome aren't they? Great horns and impressive beards.
What does Sid think to them? He looks so happy running through the field to you.... that's a wide smile he has!