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".
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
Beautiful series Carole.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful bird is this.
The eye color is really great.
Regards, Irma
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)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful bird and photos, Carole! The eye color is gorgeous. Thanks for sharing, have a happy day!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful eye colour on this pretty bird.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures Carole. A car is often the best hide. The bird certainly looks like a juvenile with that fresh, fringed feathering.
ReplyDeleteTry this page
http://www.graemechapman.com.au/library/viewphotos.php?c=27
So interesting to see it..!!
ReplyDeleteWe do not have them over here Carole.
Thank you for sharing..
Costas
Great photos and post Carole! The amount of green on the throat and upper breast has mean leaning towards them being young male birds.
ReplyDeletefascinating courtship ritual! and pretty birds!
ReplyDeleteHow unusual Carole. A kind of pastel plumage.
ReplyDeleteIt 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.
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ReplyDeleteGreat photos of the Satin Bowerbird.
ReplyDeleteLovely 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.
ReplyDeleteThey do have beautiful blue eyes.
ReplyDeleteMerle......
A beautiful blue eye...wonderful capture Carole!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Jan
Beautiful photos Carole. The eye colour is stunning, I guess it goes with the blue objects they collect to impress.
ReplyDeleteWonderful 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.
ReplyDeleteI saw a Bowerbird on TV, aren't they brilliant.
ReplyDeletePilchard 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!
ReplyDeleteThe beautiful eye color and satin looking feathers set this lovely bird apart from others.
ReplyDeleteGreat captures Carole- well done on trying to ID this beauty
Interesting! I saw a documentary on the Bower Birds a few years ago on TV. They're a pretty cool bird.
ReplyDeleteHow 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.
ReplyDeleteI only see this type of material on TV nature programs. You see it in real life!
ReplyDeleteThat is one blue eye.
ReplyDeleteA great series of photos on the Satin Bowerbird Carole! They are such intriguing birds. You certainly got excellent shots of this beauty!
ReplyDeleteFabulous 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 :)
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