home     galleries     new     equipment     links     about    contact


Victoria's riflebird        Images © Mark A. Chappell

Victoria's riflebirds are the smallest of the three riflebird species in Australia.   All are rainforest birds, with shiny black males and brownish females (both sexes with a striking yellow mouth lining).   Males have a glittery iridescent plumage that rustles like satin or taffeta when they fly; they use both their colors and dramatic posturing in an impressive courtship display, shown here.   These were on the Atherton Tablelands in far north Queensland.

  • Canon 1D3, 500 mm IS lens, some with 1.4X extender, fill-in flash (2009, 2016)