The Cairns Birdwing is a giant among butterflies and, with females having a wingspan of up to 15cm, it is the largest endemic butterfly to occur in Australia. Males are about 20% smaller than the females and "only" reach wingspans of up to 12.5cm
It is a common rainforest butterfly in northeastern Queensland.
male & female - Queensland, Australia - September 2016 |
male attacking a Victoria's Riflebird |
One morning, I witnessed a male Cairns Birdwing repeatedly dive-bombing a male Victoria's Riflebird as it sat on its display perch! I've no idea what triggered such a reaction as I've never seen a butterfly attacking a bird before! One possible explanation is the greenish-blue irridescence on the crown of the Riflebird fooled the Birdwing into thinking it was a rival male butterfly and the dive-bombing was a territorial response.
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