Bower-bird

Bower-bird

The bower-bird is the artist of the bird family. The best known, satin bower-bird reaches approximately 1 ft in length. The male has shiny black plumage and the female has olive green or yellow plumage. During the breeding season the male bower-bird builds a well decorated bower. The bower is constructed from collected twigs and grasses and is constructed to resemble a free standing sculpture. The base of the bower is decorated with colourful objects including fungi, flowers, bottlecaps and string. The sides of the bower are often painted using various substances, such as berry juice and charcoal, which are applied with a makeshift paintbrush. The male bower-bird often steps back to eye his construction, rearranging until it is just right. The bower is used to entice the female. The satin bower-bird is found in Australia. [BM] {FW}