Sometimes you don't have to go to great efforts to see amazing wildlife, you just need to stop for a minute and take notice. Last year during our quick visit to Cairns, I was thrilled to notice this tiny male Macleay's Double-eyed Fig Parrot (Cyclopsitta diophthalma macleayana) in the hotel garden right near our patio. It kept returning to feed on the native figs on this tree. I was able to photograph it over a couple of days, but it was most elusive and silent and amazing at camouflage.
The male (above) can be distinguished from the female as it has red cheek patches, while the female has pale yellow. See example of female Macleay's I photographed in 2018 at Walu Wugirriga just north of Cairns.
They are the most stunning little bird, sadly it's subspecies relative the Coxen's Fig Parrot (Cyclopsitta diophthalma coxeni) is listed as Endangered in Queensland, Critically Endangerd in New South Wales, and overall Endangered on the EPBC Act.
 |
| Male Macleay's Double-eyed Fig Parrot (Cyclopsitta diophthalma macleayana) Cairns, October 2019. Photo Copyright Judith Gray |
 |
| Male Macleay's Double-eyed Fig Parrot (Cyclopsitta diophthalma macleayana) Cairns, October 2019. Photo Copyright Judith Gray |
The male (above) can be distinguished from the female as it has red cheek patches, while the female has pale yellow. See example of female Macleay's I photographed in 2018 at Walu Wugirriga just north of Cairns.
We just love Cairns!
Judi Gray
Comments
Post a Comment
Thank you for leaving a message on Beyond Our Patch, it is greatly appreciated. If you would like to see more posts from this blog, Please click the Follower Button. Thankyou :)