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VICTORIA'S RIFLEBIRD
Photo: Courtesy of Harold & Paula Ables
ENDEMIC Tropical
North QLD
VICTORIA'S RIFLEBIRD:
Ptiloris victoriae 24 cm
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Victoria’s Riflebird is one of 12 bird species
endemic to the Wet Tropics region.
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It is one of four birds-of-paradise Indigenous to
Australia.
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This bird of paradise is endemic to the Atherton Region where it can be seen throughout the year.
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It is named after the British Queen Victoria.
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Victoria’s Riflebird is known as duwuduwu to the local
Aboriginal people.
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It is a medium sized bird, 23-25cm.
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The male is a velvet jet black with a green head, throat and tail that sparkle in the sun’s rays.
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The female is a red-brown.
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Riflebirds are numerous round
Chambers Wildlife
Rainforest Lodge.
Courting Displays and Mating:
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In its breeding season from September to February.
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During this time males display from conspicuous vantage points,
where they mate with any receptive females attracted there.
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Males attract females by their fascinating display of throwing up their rounded wings either side of their upstretched
head and neck, swaying from side to side and bobbing up and down.
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While they do this, they
flick their head from the edge of one wing to the edge of the other. They also make a loud
single and explosive ‘yah’ call.
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When they open their bill, their brilliant
yellow mouth interior can be seen.
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The male also has the ability to hang upside down with his tail fanned and wings spread. If the female is attracted, she moves toward him in a hopping motion. As she gets
closer (when he is upright) he encircles her in his wings, which he uses to tap her
softly.
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Once the male and female have
mated, they no longer remain together. The female
raises their young (usually two) alone. Her nest is often decorated with snake skins (eg.
python).
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Male riflebirds appear to keep to a territory, but females tend to wander. They have a swift and direct flight.
Diet:
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They feed in a predominantly woodpecker fashion as they tear tree bark and rotting wood
with their long curved bill, strong legs and claws.
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They search for insects, insect
larvae and fruit.
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Occasionally they are shot illegally as they
regularly damage cultivated fruit.
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