Here is a bird I saw recently scavenging at the Balook picnic area, Tarra Bulga NP, South Gippsland, Victoria. The park protects remnant cool temperate rainforest gullies and wet sclerophyl forest dominated by mountain ash (E regnans).
There was a group of about 4 or 5. There were Crimson Rosellas too, and the mystery birds were roughly a similar size.
I have scoured the bird books unsuccessfully. I thought it looked like a cuckoo but it didn't match any in the books.
Any suggestions?
Ariel
Hi, it looks like a female satin bowerbird; they are in Vic and about the same size as crimson rosellas
I am certain Satin Bowerbird is spot on, but I believe this may be an immature specimen.
Satin bowerbirds males don't get there adult plumage until about 7th year, I think it's male one or two years old,I know the area well and there more common than you'd think.
Many thanks for your responses.
I have seen an adult male Satin Bowerbird up close but didn't realise the female and immature birds are so different from them. Striking example of sexual dimorphism!