At the very end of the day on the 27th after a long days birding at Lake Eacham, we came across a flock of incredibly accommodating Double-eyed Fig-parrots (Cyclopsitta diopthalma macleayana). On top of that, they happened to be feeding in a tree no more than 2 metres off the ground! Very excitedly I took many images and a bit of video of these birds. Unfortunately the light wasn’t the best, especially with a camera that can’t shoot anything worthwhile above 200 ISO, but I still managed some decent photos and some great footage.
This female bird was angrily posturing at another bird on its perch that had just began feeding. It shook up and down angrily flapping its wings.
Alex took this shot of a male bird and it turned out to be the sharpest shot we got in natural light.
I tried the on camera flash but it did not produce great results. Just the same it is a clear shot of a male from this beautiful species!
If you are wondering about how to sex this species (subspecies macleayana), just look at the cheek. On the male it is the bright red pictured, while on the female it is that much paler brownish-green.
Hope you enjoyed these delightful little fig-parrots.
#1 by Snail on January 4, 2010 - 8:47 am
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(Aargh! The internet ate my comment. Maybe. Here it is again.)
Good catch! They’re such cuties. I hear them all the time around this place (on the Tablelands), but have yet to get a clear view.
#2 by Denis Wilson on January 4, 2010 - 4:02 pm
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Hi Sebastian
Lovely images.
Your “flash” image – the last one is terrific quality.
Not sure what you think is a problem.
Obviously these tiny parrots are as “bossy” as their larger cousins.
Denis Wilson´s last blog ..Hyacinth Orchid – Dipodium punctatum
#3 by Sebastian on January 4, 2010 - 6:21 pm
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@Snail I’ve had the same problem! This is the first look I have got of these guys out of a ridiculously high canopy.
@Denis Thanks Denis. I guess I just have a problem with all things unnatural! One of my other dislikes is the use of Photoshop to clone out whole sections of bird photos. It just doesn’t appeal to me.
Watching these birds play in this tree was definitely one of the highlights of the trip!
#4 by Jude on January 30, 2010 - 7:57 am
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Beautiful photos and just loved the video.
Don’t see these wee fellows in Brisbane
#5 by Sebastian on January 31, 2010 - 3:21 pm
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They truly are a special little bird Jude. This species has definitely been one of the highlights of North Queensland for me.