From Opus

Photo by Tom Tarrant

Anthochaera paradoxa

[edit] Identification

40-46cm. Dark brown above, pale face, strongly streaked brown and white head, white below, heavy dark streaks on the breast and sides, belly has a prominent yellow patch, long tail, short strong bill, distinctive yellow-orange wattles on the sides of the head. These wattles become larger and brighter during the breeding season. Young birds have a much paler head, smaller wattles and a browner underbody.

[edit] Distribution

Tasmania and King Island in Australia.

[edit] Taxonomy

Two subspecies: paradoxa and kingi.

[edit] Habitat

Dry and wet forests, woodlands, alpine forests and coastal heaths, urban parks and gardens, open spaces such as reserves, cemeteries and golf courses.

[edit] Behaviour

The diet includes nectar of eucalypts and banksias, fruit and insects.

The female builds an open, bowl-shaped nest of thin twigs, bark and grass, lining it will bark, roots, grass and mammal fur or wool. Both sexes incubate the eggs and feed the young, continuing to feed fledglings for a few weeks.

[edit] External Links

• View more images of this species on the ABID