There are 20 species in the Bowerbird (Ptilonorhynchidae) family and 8 of these are native to Australia. The Satin Bowerbird is found along Australia’s eastern seaboard. Females and immature male birds are olive green then the breeding males get their glossy blue-black plumage at between five and seven years of age.
Their famous bower is an avenue of grass and sticks decorated with blue and yellow objects. It is built by the breeding male to attract as many females as possible. Females inspect the bower while the male is absent. She may return later to view the male’s dancing and calling display before making the decision to enter the bower for mating.
The female departs to the nest she has already built to lay her two to three eggs and raise the young alone. The male will continue manning the bower looking for new partners. The young males may use the bower to practise their courting skills.
