Another question for those familiar with Queensland rainforest birds.
While at Paluma near Townsville last week our house was visited everyday by
the resident Victoria's Riflebird group. A single full-plumaged male
seemed to be the boss of this patch and our group was intrigued by the
'shuffling taffeta' sound he made as he flew to and from the feed table.
I have found little reference to this characteristic of male Victoria
Riflebirds and females and juvenile males lacked this feature. The Slater
guides mention this sound comes from the outer flight feathers but gives no
further details.
Can anyone give me an explanation of this fascinating feature of the
species? Is it associated with the shimmering, metal-like feathers of the
male?
[Image of Victoria's riflebird displaying -
http://www.acapixus.dk/galleri/images_html/KOL6903_uk.htm]
Martin O'Brien
Melbourne
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