Is this regular visitor to my backyard bird feeder a brush bronzewing, rather than the common bronzewing? I believe this bird's numbers are in decline?
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J.Z., Mt Clear
Your photo shows a male common bronzewing. The brush bronzewing is rich brown on the back of its neck and its breast is grey, rather than pinkish. Also, it has its iridescent wing colour in two strips, rather than scattered over the wing. It’s a slightly smaller, shorter tailed bird.
The brush bronzewing has never been common in the Ballarat region. It may be slightly scarcer than it was 30 years ago, but still occurs in small numbers in places like Clunes, Wombat Forest and Creswick. It’s certainly much scarcer than the common bronzewing, which has become more numerous in the last 20 years.
- Questions and photos are welcome. Send to Roger Thomas at The Courier, PO Box 21, Ballarat, 3353, or email to rthomas@vic.australis.com.au
