Birds of the World

Paradisaeidae : Birds-of-paradise

Victoria's Riflebird

Lophorina victoriae

Photos of Displaying Immature Males

displaying immature male - Queensland, Australia - September 2016

Female and immature male Victoria's Riflebirds are indistinguishable in the field...unless the bird is displaying. In which case, it will almost certainly be an immature male.

displaying immature male - Queensland, Australia - September 2016

It takes around 7 years for the male Victoria's Riflebird to attain his full breeding plumage, but they start practicing their display routines long before they reach maturity.

displaying immature male - Queensland, Australia - September 2016

In many ways, watching the female-like, immature males practicing their displays was more entertaining than watching the adults. Whereas the adults would only switch into full display mode if a female was present, the immatures would often enthusiastically display on their own or duet with other immature males, often for prolonged periods. One immature I watched displayed constantly without a break for over 30 minutes!

displaying immature male - Queensland, Australia - September 2016

displaying immature male - Queensland, Australia - September 2016

displaying immature male - Queensland, Australia - September 2016

displaying immature male - Queensland, Australia - September 2016

pair of immature males displaying to each other - Queensland, Australia - September 2016

immature male displaying to a female - Queensland, Australia - October 2016

displaying immature male - Queensland, Australia - October 2016