Fluffy tit

The fluffy tit is a relatively common frequent of the Southern Ridges
and the central catchment forests. It can be observed frolicking 
amongst vegetation and sometimes males are seen in rapid 
'dogfights' with other males, which can also be observed
mudpuddling. In flight, the long and whirling tails trail behind 
elegantly. I shot this male yesterday. It is actually a male sipping 
from a bird dropping on a leaf!

The underside is a beautiful combination of orange and a blueish 
white. On top, the male has black forewings which shine deep
violet in side-light. The hindwings are largely azure. Females are 
brown on top with a white tornal area on the hindwing. They lay 
their eggs on the flowers of the forest plant, cleorodendrum 
laevifolium and the caterpillars feed on all parts of the flowers.