One of the highlights of my garden trawl last week apart from the flowers was the utter joy I had at seeing a real live bowerbird nest. When asked to describe my seven traits a few weeks ago, I said I was a bowerbird and a few people asked me what that was. Well, I can now explain that in more detail!
Above on the left is a female Satin bowerbird and on the right is the male (both images are from here). To attract a mate the male satin bowerbird builds a bower which consists of two walls of sticks and twigs which form an avenue. In the entrance to this bower he places objects of a colour that catch his eye. Below you can see the bower in the middle and the objects he has chosen are all blue. The objects range from blue drinking straws to bottle tops and blue clothes pegs. I took this photo in Swain gardens. I went back this week and was delighted to see the bower still intact even though the garden had been tended.
Male bowerbirds build their nest in a particular area and the females do tours of the area inspecting the bowers and eventually mate with the male that has the best bower in their opinion.
I thought perhaps if this male bowerbird was a person he might collect the following:
Both Joan Miro: left is Bleu II and right is Bleu I.
I watched a David Attenborough documentary about bowerbirds and he came to the conclusion that the bowerbirds were no different to humans collecting art and furnishings for a house in order to attract a mate *ahem* partner.
Do you think he has a point?
Happy Thursday folks and many thanks for all the lovely comments left for my two Jeremy's and their respective ensembles!
That's so cool Sam! I love learning more about animals and the habits or rituals they have. It's amazing how similar they are to us, which only makes it more heart breaking when they're not protected. Thank you for sharing and hope you're having a lovely lovely week!♥
Posted by: Gabbi | September 24, 2009 at 09:55 AM
That is really fun! Thanks for sharing and i enjoy learning more about animals! Have a lovely merry happy day and love to you!
Posted by: Jacqueline | September 24, 2009 at 11:59 AM
the miro art is so pretty!
you really know your birds, no wonder you can draw them so beautifully!
Posted by: miriam | September 24, 2009 at 09:22 PM
Awww how adorable, building bowers definitely beats bird calls! And yay for Miro. Hope you're having a wonderful day :)
Posted by: dapper kid | September 25, 2009 at 01:27 AM
I can see where your inspiration comes from! I think it's kind of funny the male builds the nest and the female makes sure it's correct!
Posted by: Diana | September 25, 2009 at 08:38 AM
Well I didn't know that about bowerbirds. Now that I do, I agree with David A! How lucky you were Sam to find one of their nests!
Posted by: Tracy | September 26, 2009 at 09:30 AM
what a lovely post, I've always loved bowerbirds and have always wanted to see a real live bower. How lucky that you found this one!
Posted by: Crafty green poet | September 27, 2009 at 10:02 PM
You are truly a bird afficionado. I have always adored them myself - at least from afar. :)
Posted by: Cafe Fashionista | October 04, 2009 at 12:40 AM