Great Bowerbird — David Taylor - Master Jeweller

I had no idea what this bird was the first and only time I saw it. It is Australias largest Bowerbird and both sexes look alike. A bower is shady, leafy shelter. The male bird builds a bower up to 1 metre long, 45cm high and 20cm wide.

According to my reading this bird is immature as it is missing a neck patch and a bit paler than adult birds….let me know if I am wrong please.

With an adult bird the upper parts are grey-brown mottled, scalloped grey-white. The tail has a whitish tip. The eyes are dark brown as is their curved bill. The underparts are grey-brown.

They are usually found alone or in small groups and live in tropical woodlands, eucalypt forests, dense undercover, mangroves and tropical gardens.

They forage for fruits, insects and spiders usually in the canopy and infrequently from the ground. I think this one came down for a drink. They bound along the ground or between branches and flight is undulating.

These birds are famous for their mimicry. The also make a rasping drawn out call, hissing, churring and grating sounds.

They breed between August and February. The female builds a loose flat nest in a tree fork usually about 10m above the ground. She lays 1-2 eggs.