Macleay's Double-eyed Fig Parrot at Cairns

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.


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.



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Female Double-eyed Fig Parrot (Macleay’s) peeking from her nesting hollow in the Daintree rainforest. These beautiful little birds excavate their own hollows in dead trees rather than using natural hollows like most parrots- how ingenious! This particular tree had lots of little holes in it- so they had been busy! I wouldn’t have seen this beautiful bird if it wasn’t for my husband & son who noticed it. The grainy photo is rather disappointing as it could have been a great shot if I’d had my tripod, but I was very happy to just see it. This bird has a few sub-species, one being the Coxens Fig Parrot found in south-east Queensland which is listed as an Endangered Species. #doubleeyedfigparrot #parrotsofinstagram #birdsofaustralia #birdnerd #cowbay #capetribulation #daintreerainforest #capetribulationrainforest #birdsofthedaintree #thegraysdocairns2018
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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.

We just love Cairns!

Judi Gray

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