May. June 41Young male riflebirds try hard to perform like their
elders, but can’t without specialised adult feathers.
This juvenile’s pose lacks the distinctive rounded shape
made by the unusual wing feathers of an adult male.
Wildlife photojournalist Tim Laman peers out from
his camouflaged hide near the display perch of a
magnificent riflebird, deep inside Piccaninny Plains
wildlife sanctuary in Cape York.