Western BowerbirdBower of the Western Bowerbird
It is the male Western Bowerbird (Chlamydera guttata) that creates the bower and decorates it with a variety of objects to entice and woo the ladies. It is amazing to witness this elaborate courtship ritual and seduction techniques. Sometimes the male bowerbird may have to fend off rivals who may try to steal some of the treasures in the bower. I have also witnessed an occasion where younger males, try to steel the actual grasses, and sometimes it looks like they might even be trying to trash the place.
Unlike the male Satin Bowerbird (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus) who are renowned for decorating their bowers with all sorts of blue objects, the Western Bowerbird (Chlamydera guttata) have a preference for white and green.
They would often bring back unripe fruit from green olives, green tomatoes and other small green seeds and fruit. They also seem to like white, in particular small white stones and pebbles.
But sometimes, the male bowerbird would bring back other treasures to line the bower, including, discarded plastics items that are clear, white or grey.
They are also attracted to glass, bringing back green glass shards and even green, blue and yellow glass marbles.
There was even an occasion when our Western Bowerbird brought back a grey coin…
We have noticed over the many years (since 2007) once courtship is over, sometimes the bower gets cleaned out. Possibly items being taken by other male bowerbirds and even the bower have that vacated look.
But every year, our resident male bowerbird would rebuild and refurbish.
Courtship in the bower…
Western BowerbirdBower of the Western Bowerbird
BowerbirdsGreat Bowerbird Green Catbird Satin Bowerbird Western Bowerbird