10 July 2013

Satin Bowerbird

 Examples of bowers.  Collectible items placed by the bower to entice the female Satin Bowerbird  include pegs, strips of plastic, plastic bottle tops, and was located in a rural garden setting, Gloucester, N.S.W. 

this typical bower was seen at Lamington N.P., Qld.  



Closer to home, here was the habitat where the following photos were taken last week.  The Satin Bowerbirds could be heard but they're very elusive I found if you think you'll get a photo standing out in the open.  So I drove opposite here and waited with my camera out the window.  


Now I don't know if these could be juvenile males, or they are definately female Satin Bowerbirds?  Anyone?  I'm intruiged by the eye colour.  

Later addition: Checking further on this now after Phil's link to Graeme Chapman's site.  While the colourings may be indicative of a young male, the beak colour indicates perhaps a female? Will revise this when I get new information from the author.

Last update: Reply from Graeme Chapman reads in part: "the males don't acquire a pale bill until their fourth year or so. That means that any bird with a dark bill can be either sex".  








Sharing with Wild Bird Wednesday

26 comments:

Irma said...

Beautiful series Carole.
What a beautiful bird is this.
The eye color is really great.
Regards, Irma

mick said...

Great photos - perfect examples of the bowers and great photos of the female Satin Bowerbirds. They are beautiful birds but when a family of them and all their friends move in then any fruit on your trees disappears very quickly!! It happened to me a few years ago!! (on the mid-north coast not up here)

eileeninmd said...

Beautiful bird and photos, Carole! The eye color is gorgeous. Thanks for sharing, have a happy day!

Unknown said...

Beautiful eye colour on this pretty bird.

Phil Slade said...

Great pictures Carole. A car is often the best hide. The bird certainly looks like a juvenile with that fresh, fringed feathering.
Try this page

http://www.graemechapman.com.au/library/viewphotos.php?c=27

Unknown said...

So interesting to see it..!!
We do not have them over here Carole.
Thank you for sharing..
Costas

Unknown said...

Great photos and post Carole! The amount of green on the throat and upper breast has mean leaning towards them being young male birds.

TexWisGirl said...

fascinating courtship ritual! and pretty birds!

Roy Norris said...

How unusual Carole. A kind of pastel plumage.

Allan Lloyd said...

It occurs to me, Carole, that if you dressed yourself all in the right blue, you could sit near the bower and maybe even draw a crowd.

Allan Lloyd said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Neil said...

Great photos of the Satin Bowerbird.

Christian Perrin said...

Lovely photos, especially taken from the convenience of your car! I've noticed these birds move down into the lowlands during winter here in Brisbane - otherwise they stay in the mountain ranges.

Merlesworld said...

They do have beautiful blue eyes.
Merle......

Jan Castle said...

A beautiful blue eye...wonderful capture Carole!
Hugs,
Jan

Unknown said...

Beautiful photos Carole. The eye colour is stunning, I guess it goes with the blue objects they collect to impress.

Liz said...

Wonderful shots of the Bowerbird, Carole. I've only ever managed to capture a female up near Queen Mary Falls. I'm yet to get photos of a male or their bower.

Bob Bushell said...

I saw a Bowerbird on TV, aren't they brilliant.

Red Nomad OZ said...

Pilchard thinks it's a female - if a young male with that eye colour, it's bill would be pale. The general appearance, colouration, scalloping on the breast etc also point to it being a female!! That's his view - I'm just happy to see the pix!

Anonymous said...

The beautiful eye color and satin looking feathers set this lovely bird apart from others.

Great captures Carole- well done on trying to ID this beauty

Montanagirl said...

Interesting! I saw a documentary on the Bower Birds a few years ago on TV. They're a pretty cool bird.

Faye said...

How very interesting--first introduction to these unusual birds and such unusual nesting habits. I can see why you would be persistent in trying to get pics of these beauties--very photogenic.

John @ Beans and I on the Loose said...

I only see this type of material on TV nature programs. You see it in real life!

Sharon Wagner said...

That is one blue eye.

Larry said...

A great series of photos on the Satin Bowerbird Carole! They are such intriguing birds. You certainly got excellent shots of this beauty!

DeniseinVA said...

Fabulous post Carole, thank you for sharing this link with regards to my question. Those nests truly are amazing! Clever little birds aren't they and another reason why I find nature so wonderful :)