Cotton for Flowerpecker

Pausing to admire the gorgeous golden blooms, my attention was suddenly diverted by a movement.

And what a surprise when I zoomed in to find this female Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker with its head immersed in a nearby cottony burst, perfect nesting material I guessed!

Predictable as 'poop'

And she was here, and he was there but watching her was more entertaining.

So, what goes in must come out.  It's never more instant for a bird, and the female Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker is exemplary, with this tiny seeded flower feed which is a sure favourite of flowerpeckers.

Perhaps calling for another to share in the feast.

It was also seen to scrap at the branch, not feeding on it for sure, an unusual behaviour indeed.

After some frenzy feeding, the bird would predictably perch close by.  Patience, and the inevitable will follow soon, i.e. the pooping session.  No wonder then that the bird had to feed constantly!

And over there, he was on his own, about the same thing, a typical feeding binge.

Nesting time

It looked like nesting time for these birds in the taman, and for  a couple of them, it's the females at work.

Small and adorable

This little adorable Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker, of about 9 cm only, is a favourite target of birders because of its striking scarlet colour, certainly not an easy bird to photograph because of its size and how it's always on the move foraging at the middle to upper canopy of flowering trees.  Fortunately one is always alerted to it by its sharp continuous calls, and this bird also has its favourite trees so detecting it is not too difficult.
    I have had some luck in the afternoon when I came across it preening and managed some almost close-up shots, for the first time.  Added to that, I managed an image of the female too, although at another part of the taman.

Female

Male

A little wee teaser

It is always a challenge to nail down the Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker and I have had little luck trying to get an ideal image so far.  Nevertheless little glimpses of its back in particular will suggest to any one what a beauty it is, especially the male.

The female too comes with its own charm and different occasions reveal a beauty of its own.

 
This picture will give an idea how tiny this bird is.

Feeling lucky

It was certainly a lucky shot to have been able to get this little female Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker.  Note the vast difference between the male and female bird.
     The female is primarily of greenish shades, has some red feathers on its back near the tail which unfortunately is unseen in this pic, compared to the brilliant scarlet streak on the male's bluish-black back.