A red wattlebird drops in on us
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381815)
Rockingham, Australia
May 27, 2018 12:02am CST
While we were in Goolwa we had lunch near a marina and this little bird came to check out the leftovers on the next table. It’s a red wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata) and is native to southern Australia. It’s a honeyeater and the second largest of the Australian species.
The distinctive wattles on either side of the neck are a dead giveaway. It feeds on nectar and has a brush-tipped tongue about 17mm (5/8 inch) long. It will defend rich sources of nectar quite aggressively. They are common in garden and parks and thankfully are in no danger of extinction. They’re quite a pretty little bird although not so little being about 33 to 38 cm long (13 to 15 inches).
26 people like this
25 responses
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
27 May 18
He is saying "G'day mate got any nectar?"
5 people like this
@moffittjc (128824)
• Gainesville, Florida
27 May 18
I was going to say something very similar! Does he tweet with an Australian accent? lol
2 people like this
@moffittjc (128824)
• Gainesville, Florida
29 May 18
@JudyEv What is Strine? Now you have me all confused!!!!
3 people like this
@JudyEv (381815)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 May 18
@JohnRobers @moffittjc He's an Aussie bird so of course he speaks Strine. Fair dinkum, he was real good at it. 
3 people like this
@moffittjc (128824)
• Gainesville, Florida
27 May 18
I'm sorry Judy, I disagree with you! I think he is an ugly little bird! lol But you got a great closeup picture of him.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128824)
• Gainesville, Florida
29 May 18
@JudyEv Thank you for taking the diplomatic high road and not telling that bird I think he is ugly.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381815)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 May 18
@moffittjc I was only worried that he'd crap on our table.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
27 May 18
I wish you had posted a picture of the bird. Seems interesting from your description
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381815)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 May 18
There is a photo. I'm sorry you can't see it. I don't know why that would be.
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
29 May 18
@JudyEv I could see it today. That day Internet was slow. So it might be because of that
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45111)
• Canada
28 May 18
Pretty bird! It feeds on nectar but if it was checking for table scraps then it will eat anything?
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
27 May 18
beautiful bird and great photo
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
29 May 18
@JudyEv he poses very well for this one
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381815)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 May 18
@arthurchappell He did indeed. I got a couple of nice photos of him.
1 person likes this
@silvermist (19701)
• India
27 May 18
A neat close up shot.Beautiful bird.Never seen one here.
1 person likes this
@epiffanie (11325)
• Australia
28 May 18
Nice photo ..it looked aware that it's being photographed ..
1 person likes this
@epiffanie (11325)
• Australia
29 May 18
@JudyEv hahah! making sure you get the right angle of the pretty red wattles adorning his neck ..
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
28 May 18
I have never seen a bird with wattles, very interesting. I agree, they are a pretty little bird.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (153544)
• India
28 May 18
It ;looks like a ribbon is tied round its neck.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381815)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 May 18
They are quite pretty although they are a bit aggressive towards smaller birds.
@Freelanzer (10782)
• Canada
27 May 18
Looks like a chicken almost. Beautiful bird.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
28 May 18
That is a good sized bird, the only one I've seen with wattles besides a turkey.
Funny, that made me think of a man I knew in California named Gurdon Wattles. He was an engineer.
1 person likes this
