Bird of the Month: Scarlet Honeyeater
Have you seen a flash of scarlet in the garden? The spring flowers of native plants may attract this tiny honeyeater
The Scarlet Honeyeater (Myzomela sanguinolenta) is September's bird of the month.
Also known as the Scarlet Myzomela, this tiny bird is the smallest species of honeyeater in Australia! The males display a vibrant red colouration on the upper body, and the females have a more dusky-brown plumage.
They occur all along the east coast of Australia and are relatively common in the Illawarra where they can be seen darting between flowering plants in native bushland or suburban backyards.
Although they can be seen year-round, they are often easier to see over the spring and summer months when most plant species are in full bloom.
I photographed this male in Stanwell Park a few summers ago when the callistemons in our front yard were flowering.
