Identification: The head of the Eatern spinebill is black and the upper body parts are dark grey. It has a rufous throat and belly with a brown region above the belly. The tail is black with white edges. 

Call/Song: A monotonic shrill, rapid piping is the Eastern spinebill's call. 

Found from the tablelands inland from Cooktown (Queensland), south down to Tasmania and across to the Mt Lofty Ranges of South Australia.

Habitat:Occurs in heaths and forests with a dense shrub layer.

Feeding: Although its diet comprises mostly of nectar (which it obtains with its long slender beak), the Eastern spinebill will also eat insects.

Breeding/Nesting: Breeds mostly between October and January. It builds a cup-shaped nest of grass and plant fibres; lined with feathers or hair.

Movement: A very active bird that is usually seen darting from flower to flower. The Eastern spinebill is an exceptionally tame bird that is often allured by squeaky noises. 

Other Common Names: Cobbler's awl, spine-billed honeyeater.

Status:

Distribution: 

Abundance:

Queensland Museum (1995) Wildlife of Greater Brisbane, Queensland Museum, Brisbane.

Reader's Digest Services (1979) Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds, Surry Hills, NSW.