Greetings fellow birdos. Anyone similarly smitten with friarbirds? I confess to feeling impatient that such Jurassic-like creatures continue to wear the simple honeyeater label, although admittedly brush tongues and feeding habits justify this. Strange that we delight in antipodean 'primitives' like platypus and echidna, while somehow overlooking the flying reptiles doing acrobatics in the callistemon. One further point; if a species appearance is dictated by the features needed for its daily survival--the oyster-catcher's beak, a raptor's talons, a ground-dweller's sturdy claws etc.--what on earth is the practical use of friarbird's facial knobs and helmets? Or are they just one more piece of a 'living remnant'puzzle?
Bondie
