birds

[Jeremy Roussak]

Taken in the Atherton Tablelands, Queensland. No idea what they are. Anyone?

Jeremy

[Jeremy Roussak]

Nobody?

Jeremy

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

They're definitely birds.
But they're nothing like any that come to my backyard bird feeders. Sorry.

[francois]

I like the second one best… for the colors, the bird's posture and the surrounding vegetation. The first one would nice but I find that the lower, out-of-focus, part is a bit distracting.

[degrub]

From the bill size and shape, they look like honeyeaters or spinebills.

[Tony Jay]

Hi Jeremy

This quest took a little while.
I originally thought the first bird might indeed be a species of honeyeater as others have speculated.
This unfortunately was a real red herring.

As it turns out the species of both birds are one and the same!
You have a perfect pair of a rare species of bird with a very limited distribution roughly coincidental with the wet tropics of north Queensland.
They are both Victoria's Riflebirds - one is male and one is female!
Congratulations!

Tony Jay

[Jeremy Roussak]

You have a perfect pair of a rare species of bird with a very limited distribution roughly coincidental with the wet tropics of north Queensland.
They are both Victoria's Riflebirds - one is male and one is female!
Congratulations!

Tony Jay

Thanks for the ID, Tony. The location fits. They were almost tame, eating from the table where I was sitting. Here's another, I think of the male.

Jeremy

[Tony Jay]

Thanks for the ID, Tony. The location fits. They were almost tame, eating from the table where I was sitting. Here's another, I think of the male.

Jeremy

Yup, that the male of the species in all his glory!

Tony Jay

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

Thanks for the ID, Tony. The location fits. They were almost tame, eating from the table where I was sitting. Here's another, I think of the male.

Jeremy

That one is a very fine portrait.

[Jeremy Roussak]

And here's a female, taken a few minutes later at the same spot.

Jeremy

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

Another nice one.

Are you trying to compete with Glen Bartley now, Jeremy?   

[Jeremy Roussak]

Another nice one.

Are you trying to compete with Glen Bartley now, Jeremy?   

Ha! Kind comment, but I know my limitations. I suspect Glen will be losing no sleep over my efforts.

Jeremy