Third time lucky
Back in September we ran a post about a pair of Eastern Spinebills nesting in a bushy bay tree close to our house. That event ended badly when we discovered the two still unfeathered chicks gone and the nest abandoned. The parents were not having much luck as that was the second nest in the same tree. We suspected the culprit in both failed attempts was a Grey Currawong which had been hanging around the garden.
Being persistent, but perhaps not very smart, the pair of spinebills soon started building a third nest in the opposite side of the same tree. To our surprise their persistence paid off and two fledglings eventually left the nest. A couple of days later one was spotted in a melaleuca, lacking the coloration of its parents and trying to pretend it was invisible – see photo above.
Focus On Fauna 
A pair of Eastern Spinebills nested in the bough of a pine tree near our kitchen. That first nest got blown out the tree before completion. They nested a second time and there were chicks in the nest (at least they appeared to be feeding them but the nest was so well-hidden you could only see it from a couple of angles and you certainly couldn’t see into it).
Today, to my horror, the nest has disappeared entirely and I cannot find it anywhere. I’ve seen the parents around feeding but so far no sign of any young ones. I just can’t understand what could have happened. There were no strong winds. I haven’t noticed any predatory birds around – and for the whole nest to disappear without a trace, not even remnants of it strewn around.
Update: Just found the nest about 15/20 feet from the bough. It was a lot smaller than I thought from below and lined with feathers. A number of other downy feathers on the ground. I wonder what would rip the nest out the tree? I don’t think a feral cat could get to it. A magpie? Kookaburra?
Glad you found the nest, Jacinda, but not a good outcome for the spinebills by the sound of it. They’ll probably try again and hopefully be successful this time. Maybe the predator was a currawong or butcherbird?
Thanks for your reply. We don’t get butcherbirds here (SA) but currawongs, yes – haven’t seen one lately but hear them occasionally. It’s just so sad, but nature’s way I suppose. I hope they do try again and have better luck.
Enjoyed your article I just read and picture’s very lovely. I to had a spinebill visit me everyday for the last couple of months until recently spent hours dining on native bushes while I was there watching in the back yard and always came right up to me.very trustworthy she did use me as bodyguard to protect her from those rotten miner birds she knew they would not come anywhere near her while I was there she loved her little patch of freedom darting from bush to bush not a care in the world . Every evening she fly off back to her roost when she did those miner birds near bye would be hot on her heals chasing her but some how always manage to escape from them untill last week seen her leave being chase again .this time I think they manage to do the unthinkable I haven’t seen the little spinebill for over a week now poor little defenseless bird I for one dislike these minor birds there thugs there use to be a variety of birds in the this area Rosellas , Holland honey eaters,Willy wag tails, blackbirds,doves just to name a few all but now gone unfortunately because these native minors which are protected by law and can not harm in any way Alex from Woodville sth Australia