Bird Mistletoebird (Dicaeum hirundinaceum)

[J.K.M]

Common Name: Mistletoebird

Scientific name: Dicaeum hirundinaceum

Family: Dicaeidae

Order: Passeriformes

Other Names: N/A

Distribution: Found throughout mainland Australia.

Habitat: Found wherever Mistletoe grows.

Field Notes: Male; glossy blue-black head, wings and upper parts, red throat, red chest, white belly dark streak, bright red undertail. Female; grey above, white under parts, grey belly streak, pale red undertail.

Photo taken in Melbourne, Victoria - July 2010.

View attachment 2642View attachment 2643

 

[Hairyman]

An accomplished mimic of other bird species too!

 

[Dusty Miller]

M

 

[Dusty Miller]

Sticky Mistletoe seeds about to be "planted" on a branch

 

[Dusty Miller]

Saw this odd silky nest low in a bougainvillea plant, thought it was made by caterpillars at first. Had a single white egg in the bottom.

 

[koalaboi]

Importantly, this little bird transfers the sticky mistletoe seeds to the branches of new host trees. Apparently it places the sticky seed on the bark whilst emptying its bowel then drags its cloaca off the seed.

KB

 

[Dusty Miller]

Importantly, this little bird transfers the sticky mistletoe seeds to the branches of new host trees. Apparently it places the sticky seed on the bark whilst emptying its bowel then drags its cloaca off the seed.

Yes that's right. You can see it in action in the last pic of post 4 on the male.

 

[Aussie123]

Yes that's right. You can see it in action in the last pic of post 4 on the male.

Great action shot.

I've had great fun with various edible mistletoe fruits. Most are very sweet and fruity, the seed is somewhat like a passionfruit seed enveloped in a mucusy membrane. When you try and spit the seed out, the mucus makes it stick to your lips.

Its like its on bungee cord !