This is a Satin Bowerbird, seen in a typical Australian habitat, the outdoor barbecue! Its found around the SE corner of Australia, from the middle of Victoria to Southern Queensland.
There is also a sub-species found in a small patch of Queensland much further north).
The male bird has wonderful glossy blue -black metallic plumage, that can be a real pig to photograph!
The female is green with a splendid fine scaly pattern in the breast. Think set and chunky they really are good looking birds.
The male builds a bower (hence the name!) to attract a mate. Here the males show their fondness for blue items (or at least items we see as blue). The bower is decorated with found objects - fruit, flowers, berries, feathers and in this case milk bottle lids and straws!
Enjoy the birds.
oh, too funny!!! he's beautiful! looks a lot like our grackles! that irridescence is so striking.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful this bird, with very bright feathers, blue -black metallic, as you say.
ReplyDeleteThank's Stewart, for sharing with us.
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Nice birds!
ReplyDeleteHe's a beautiful fellow.
ReplyDeleteI really love Nr3&4 :)!
I think I have seen this in papers or maybe tv programs. It is so interesting how the birds gather things to impress the female.
ReplyDeleteI can´t follow in your footsteps, we don´t have any blue birds. :(
He is realy beautiful and shiny! :)
ReplyDeleteFascinating! Love the 'bower' - collecting odds and ends to put in the nest reminds me of penguins.
ReplyDeleteYou photograph the male satin bower bird in your back yard where I could not get a clear shot when I saw one. On the other hand I have a flock of Yellow-rumped Thornbills resident in my garden. Great to have a meme where we can show both.
ReplyDeleteGreat series Stewart!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beauty Stewart.
ReplyDeleteA lovely looking bird Stewart...
ReplyDeleteGreat one Stewart. I can see where that intense dark color would be a bear to photograph. How is it that the male bird collects blue objects like that?! I find that incredible, it's like an offering. I can't quite get my mind around that one!
ReplyDeleteNice photos Stewart. They look beautiful birds but can be destructive on fruit trees when they all arrive together for a feed!
ReplyDeleteIts colour is gorgeous! Terrific bird!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos we had a female in our yard once,it was only passing through.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful set of images. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBower Birds are fascinating creatures! They are real artists with a sense for color, symmetry, arrangement... Love your photos!
ReplyDeleteSuch interesting behavior! I love his collection. He is, indeed, a handsome bird!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are very beautiful. What a fun post!
ReplyDeleteYour photos show the colors of the male Satin Bowerbird exceptionally well Stewart. As you say, those iridescent colors are sometimes difficult to capture.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing to me how different the female plumage is from the male. They are truly incredible, the bowerbirds of the world. This fellow has built him a beauty. I hope his mate likes it. Sometimes they are so hard to please ;-)