Satin Bowerbird Female?

[johnno]

Hi All,

This pic was taken today,NOT with my usual Skywatcher ED80.

I was testing a Skywatcher st 20-60x60,and this Female?, Bowerbird came down for a little feed.

The pic is not as sharp,as I would have liked,but not too bad considering my hasty focusing,and shot.

I have NOT seen these Bowerbirds,very often,But that Blue eye is Striking.

I am fairly certain it is a Female,and not a Juvenile.given the size,

BUT,it can take up to 7 years for a MALE to gain maturity,and in between,the M/F look very similar.

Regards.
John

[circumpolar (Matt)]

Yep, thats a female. Sometime the male (pictured in the tree) has many females hanging around the bower. They make quite a lot of noise sometimes.

This picture was taken at my work place. Yep, it's tuff working as a gardener on a private residence.

I love how the male Bowerbird couldn't move the largest Blue thing he could find so he built his bower right next to it! Talk about bosting rights!

[Dujon]

Hello, John.

Unlike Matt I'm suggesting an immature male. From my reading, your comment regarding the time taken to mature is correct. The main reason I'm plumping for the immature male is the apparent band around the neck and breast area.

[GeoffW1 (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by circumpolar

I love how the male Bowerbird couldn't move the largest Blue thing he could find so he built his bower right next to it! Talk about bosting rights!

Hi,

Looking at the photo of all the smaller objects in the bird's collection, all of them seem to be man-made. Now if blue is not extremely common in nature, what did bowerbirds collect for blue things before the white man got here?

Cheers

[circumpolar (Matt)]

Originally Posted by GeoffW1

Hi,

Looking at the photo of all the smaller objects in the bird's collection, all of them seem to be man-made. Now if blue is not extremely common in nature, what did bowerbirds collect for blue things before the white man got here?

Cheers

I have noticed that sometimes he collects yellowish/greenish flower parts as well. The protective scale leaves that protect a forming flower bud (bracts) on some plants are this colour. Also have noticed onion peels (yellowish) and potatoe peels (also yellowish) as well. It's interesting to note that although there are many blue flowers and berries in the garden I have never seen them near the bower.

I don't know the difference between young males and female bowerbirds, but there are always plenty of olive green bowerbirds hanging around courting and playing with the adult male. Because I work in the garden 5 days a week, I can get within 4 meters of the bower during their courtship. They are not bothered by me being there at all.

[firstlight (Tony)]

Originally Posted by GeoffW1

Hi,

Looking at the photo of all the smaller objects in the bird's collection, all of them seem to be man-made. Now if blue is not extremely common in nature, what did bowerbirds collect for blue things before the white man got here?

Cheers

Flowers, rocks and stones, is what was commonly used in their bowers.

I believe that it is a female as the beak is dark coloured, the juveniles have a lighter beak, a hint to their true colouring.

[johnno]

Hi All,

Thanks for the Pics,and comments.

The Bowerbird is very interesting,thats for sure.

I am fairly new to all this,so have a lot to learn,
I thought Female based solely,on a book I have,but as some of you have said it could be anything from a Juvenile,to a young male also.

Cheers,
Regards.
John