Rockwarbler feeding on nectar

Hi all,

This morning at Wentworth Falls, I was watching a Rockwarbler foraging along the rocky shelves at the top of the waterfall. After a while it flew into a Banksia ericifolia shrub and moved directly to a half-opened inflorescence, where it appeared to be taking nectar. I was close enough to see its bill and throat moving repeatedly as if drinking, rather than taking insects. After it flew off I checked the inflorescence to find it was rich with nectar.

I know that some other generally insectivorous species will sometimes take nectar (Brown Thornbill and White-throated Treecreeper come to mind) but I don’t think I’ve ever heard of Rockwarblers doing this. I don’t have ready access to the appropriate volume of HANZAB – if someone has it handy could they let me know if it’s been recorded? Thanks.

Wentworth Falls is in the NSW Blue Mountains, about 80km west of Sydney.

Cheers,

Carol

===============================

To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request@vicnet.net.au

http://birding-aus.org ===============================