Victoria's riflebird

Ptiloris victoriae

Photo by Lindsay Hansch (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
Victoria's riflebird (en); ave-do-paraíso-de-Vitória (pt); paradisier de Victoria (fr); ave-del-paraíso de Victoria (es); Victoriaparadiesvogel (de)


Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Paradisaeidae


Range:
This species is endemic to eastern Australia, only being found in the Atherton Tableland region of north-eastern Queensland.


Size:
These birds are 23-25 cm long and weigh 90-100 g.


Habitat:
The Victoria's riflebird is mostly found in lowland rainforest and sometimes also in mangroves and swamp forests.


Diet:
They eat mostly eat various invertebrates, namely cockroaches, spiders, wood lice, and centipedes, which they dig out of tree bark. They also eat fruits and berries.Breeding:
Victoria's riflebirds breed in August-February. The female builds the nest alone and often decorates it with snake skins. She lays 1-2 eggs which she incubates alone for 18-19 days. The chicks are fed by the female alone and fledge 14-15 days after hatching. 


Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least concern)
This species has a restricted breeding range, but it is reported to be common throughout its remaining habitat. The population is suspected to be in decline owing to habitat loss and hunting pressure.