Australian Figbird

Figbirds follow the fruit trail and drop in for a few weeks each year at the start of the mulberry season.  Well camouflaged by their plumage these birds are hard to spot as they help themselves to the fresh pickings.

The striations on their chest reflect the light patterns on the branches, while their backs blend in with the leaves. They tend to eat  young fruit that is not yet ripe and these colours blend with the highlights on their feathers and beaks.  In contrast the koels wait till later in the season. The dark purple fruit when it's ripe blend well with their black plumage while their red beaks could be mistaken for the unripe berry.

They are grateful birds and although shy, they call out to us letting us know they are around.  If we talk softly and sweetly to them, the boldest will come out , show themselves clearly, even letting us photograph them.
 

The slides below show them in different views as they would appear in the trees. 

(click on the 'next' button to forward through the slides).
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