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ML201993021 IBC 1592463

Mistletoebird Dicaeum hirundinaceum

Report

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Date

Location

Wooleen Station
Murchison, Western Australia, Australia
Media from this location Illustrated Checklist
Map
Map Coordinates: -27.0876, 116.1608
Age
Not specified
Sex
Not specified

Media notes

A male Mistletoebird perching, preening and defaecating sticky mistletoe seeds. The tiny Mistletoebird (Dicaeum hirundinaceum) is a sexually dimorphic flowerpecker that is widely distributed throughout Australia, wherever mistletoes are found. Mistletoebirds mostly feed on the fruits of mistletoes, although they also take some other fruits and small invertebrates. They are important seed dispersal vectors for mistletoes – the sticky seed passes through the intestinal tract intact, and is often wiped onto a branch when the bird defaecates. This beautiful male Mistletoebird was perched in a native pine (Callitris species), preening. He then defaecated – the string of sticky mistletoe seeds is plain to see. Elevation: 293 m. Date added to IBC: July 2, 2019.

Observation details

IBC scientific name: Dicaeum hirundinaceum.

Collection

Internet Bird Collection (IBC)

Technical information

Camera
Microphone
Accessories
Original file size
79.77 MB