Wheatear with weevil passengers!!

brianholland · #1 (**permalink**) 21-09-2011, 11:16 AM

We were on the edge of a pitch and putt course when we spotted this wheatear feeding. My wife grabbed the camera and took a few shots but we were surprised to see what appeared to be weevils clinging to the beak.

.?

There were times when the weevils were not present but then they soon attached themselves again which suggests that they were extremely quick to hitch a ride again. They may of course have been avoiding being eaten themselves.

The bird was successfully hunting leather jackets and Margaret managed a few shots of it's successes.

Have any members thoughts on what was going on with the weevils as neither of us had seen this before - ticks yes but not weevils

htcdude · #2 (**permalink**) 21-09-2011, 11:23 AM

Haha excellent. A Wheatear airline, maybe called Wheatair??

Nige

The Woodman · #3 (**permalink**) 21-09-2011, 12:17 PM

Amazing!

brianholland · #4 (**permalink**) 22-09-2011, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htcdude

Haha excellent. A Wheatear airline, maybe called Wheatair??

Nige

Great reply but I wondered it you could 'TWEET' it!!!

Brian,

~T~ · #5 (**permalink**) 22-09-2011, 11:03 AM

Great images. Are you sure they are weevils though, I would never describe a weevil as "quick"

htcdude · #6 (**permalink**) 22-09-2011, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~T~

Great images. Are you sure they are weevils though, I would never describe a weevil as "quick"

You would be if you were late for your flight

It looks like a weevil, but I see only one, unless they're different in each photo

tigertom · #7 (**permalink**) 22-09-2011, 10:26 PM

Not sure if they are weevils, may be some sort of parasite have seen some thing like this going on, on a wildlife program some time ago in the 1st pic if you take size up a bit looks like there is 2 of them other one right at tip of bill behind 1st one.
Must say they are great shots in fact excellent shots

MIKE

RoyW · #8 (**permalink**) 23-09-2011, 12:34 AM

I can't really see the 'passengers' properly, but I would think that the most likely explanation might be that they are lice. When they were not in view they may have gone under the feathers.

brianholland · #9 (**permalink**) 23-09-2011, 04:31 PM

Thank you each and every one who took the trouble to reply and share ideas and suggestions.

I still smile at some but as for speedfy weevils I could only assume that they had to be quick to climb aboard again but if as you say they were lice then maybe they did hide in the plumage.

Thnaks anyway.

Brian.,
H.O. my wife also thanks you.