Monday, August 10, 2009

Figbird

Over the last few weeks I have heard a Figbird calling in the big pine tree next door. I have only seen one bird there and the photos I took are of a male bird. The male is most distinctive with its red eye patch.
The female is quite a different color and instead of the red eye patch has a grey-brown patch. This one was sitting out on the power line beside the road.
The video clip is of the male calling in the tree. In the background kookaburras are laughing.

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17 comments:

  1. AnonymousAugust 10, 2009 at 8:22 AM

    My first figbird - thank you!

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  2. mickAugust 10, 2009 at 8:52 AM

    Hi Wren - they're even better in real life than in photos :-)

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  3. LarryAugust 10, 2009 at 3:12 PM

    What a cool looking bird Mick! Nice captures of both the male and female of this sexually dimorphic species.

    Thanks for posting the video too. It's always nice to hear what the bird sounds like when it is unfamiliar to us.

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  4. AnonymousAugust 10, 2009 at 4:21 PM

    Cool video clip of kookaburras in the background.

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  5. mickAugust 10, 2009 at 5:05 PM

    Thanks for commenting Larry and Madahmas. I just need to remember to get the video camera out - I'm usually so intent on a good photograph that I forget!

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  6. gwenAugust 10, 2009 at 5:56 PM

    Yeah. My weekly portion of Australian birdsounds. Lovely, thanks Mick!

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  7. UnknownAugust 10, 2009 at 6:23 PM

    You have such fascinating birds out there.
    The male looks amazing :)

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  8. Midmarsh JohnAugust 10, 2009 at 6:40 PM

    Great so hear as well as see birds from the other side of the world Mick. Thank you.

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  9. mickAugust 10, 2009 at 6:43 PM

    Thanks for commenting Gwendolen and Nicole. Glad you liked the sounds.

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  10. mickAugust 10, 2009 at 6:50 PM

    Thanks John - just wish I could get really good videos as well as the sound but I need a proper video cam for that!

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  11. SnailAugust 10, 2009 at 9:00 PM

    The female figbirds are getting into the ripening quandongs here but I haven't seen any males about the place.

    The northern form is a bit different from yours --- has a bright yellow front. Wonder where the intergrade happens?

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  12. ArijaAugust 10, 2009 at 11:06 PM

    Great that you got both male and female and as a bonus, the sng as well. If I ever get that far north, I'll know what I'm looking at. Thanks.

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  13. Rob RipmaAugust 10, 2009 at 11:26 PM

    I have never heard of a Figbird but it is a very interesting bird. Awesome shot!

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  14. Bob KaufmanAugust 11, 2009 at 2:09 AM

    It must be wonderful in your place, Mick! You get lots of birds and now, this lovely figbird!

    The sounds in the video is just amazing even for someone who is a bit hearing impaired like me.

    Good one, Mick!

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  15. mickAugust 11, 2009 at 5:13 AM

    Thanks for commenting Bob and Cynthia, Rob, Arija, and Snail. Your comment sent me back to my books, Snail, and Pizzey says that there is a broad area of inter-breeding between Normanton and Proserpine.

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  16. KellyAugust 11, 2009 at 2:13 PM

    ...love that red eye patch--like a mask! The song was very cool too. I didn't know these birds existed. So much to learn...

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  17. colouredsandsAugust 12, 2009 at 10:13 AM

    Hi Mick - I had the pleasure of watching around 15 fig birds enjoying the red fruits of a palm tree in our garden yesterday. I love the demure females but as a group of males and females they were amazing to watch. No photos - so thanks for yours.

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