CLOSED: Can anyone ID this bird?

I took this shot in native bushland close to the river near home a few days ago. This was the best of only two shots. The bird was about 5" long, including tail. I didn't hear it call.

Margaret ... I can't see the beak and eyebrow well enough to be sure; but it looks very similar to a cactus wren. It may be that or something in that family.

Never mind...


EDIT: To explain, somehow I got the impression the bird was in New Mexico and I was agreeing with cactus wren... arrghhhh!


This message was edited Mar 2, 2009 12:42 PM

This message was edited Mar 2, 2009 12:43 PM

Maybe one of your 70+ Honeyeater species. This view looks somewhat like a young New Holland Honeyeater but they don't have a yellow belly.(?)

I should have said that I'm in the south west of Australia in my first post. I'm very familiar with the New Holland and White-cheeked Honeyeaters. I thought it may have been a Yellow-plumed Honeyeater, but in my book, the streaking is less distinct and goes all the way down the belly and doesn't show the yellow belly that this one has. I'll have to keep watch for it and get a better picture.

I'll see if I've got any worthwhile info on honeyeaters tomorrow, but doubt I can do anything with it (I don't have an Australia field guide)

Resin

We have an Australian field guide.... I'd suggest comparing to White-browed Scrubwren (Sericornis frontalis). Honeyeaters don't seem to have white wing bars; this bird has one. Maculatus race occurs in SW Australia.

This message was edited Mar 2, 2009 6:37 PM

Mmmm...I have three Australian Bird field guides and I still missed it. Agree with altagardener...looks like the spotted race of the White-browed Scrubwren -Sericornis frontalis maculatus

Thanks very much, folks. When I looked at the White-browed Scrubwren in my field guide, it seems to match very well. In another book I have, it states that the Western Australian subspecies are streaked from throat to breast.