This is the male Satin Bowerbird, taken in the Lamington National Park.
They are medium-sized birds. The adult male has striking glossy blue-black plumage and a violet-blue iris. Younger males and females are similar in colour to each other, and are collectively referred to as 'green' birds. They are olive-green above, off-white with dark scalloping below and have brown wings and tail. Young males may begin to acquire their adult plumage in their fifth year and are not fully 'attired' until they are seven.
The male builds and decorates a bower to attract females. This consists of two parallel walls of sticks, is built on the ground, and is used as a courtship arena (or Bachelor Pad!
) during the breeding season. The male decorates it with bright blue coloured objects that it collects; blue clothes pegs, drinking straws and bottle tops are among the favourite stolen items, while bright blue parrot feathers, flowers and brown snail shells, make up the majority of decorations away from human habitation.
On the arrival of a female, the male Satin Bowerbird leaps into a ritualised display of exaggerated movements, such as strutting and bowing, with wings outstretched and quivering, and accompanied by a variety of mechanical-sounding calls, such as buzzing and rattling interspersed with mimicry. One of the bower decorations is usually carried in the male's bill. If impressed, the female moves into the bower avenue for mating and then leaves to perform the nesting duties on her own, while the male readies himself for courting more prospective females.
The female builds a loose nest of sticks in a tree or bush, up to 30 m – 35 m above the ground.
Cheers
Dennis
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