Mimicry in Orioles of South-eastern Queensland

Abstract

Olive-backed Orioles and female Figbirds have quite similar plumages. Unlike other species, Orioles are not mobbed by Figbirds. The occurrence of small numbers of Orioles with flocks of Figbirds suggests that some type of Batesian mimicry may be involved, whereby Orioles share with Figbirds feeding sites unavailable to other species. At present, field observations are too limited to support any hypothesis but research on numbers, feeding preferences and behaviour of mixed flocks could provide an answer.