Satin Bowerbird (female)

Description:

Female Satin Bowerbird pictured; male is deep glossy black in colour with a sheen of blue/purple, irridescent violet eyes also apparent in females, the eyes appear to 'glow' during breeding season. Adults grow to about 30cm. Females are more olive green in colour with smokey overtones and blue sheen in some lights, dark beak, belly, chin, chest and under tail barred with dark markings over light feathers, chestnut/olive under wings and tail, pink tint to legs, young males are similar colour to females but with slightly different markings and reach their full adult male plumage colour close to seven years of age. Males build an elaborate bower on the ground as a display arena and dress it with blue items, sometimes enhancing it with yellow or green such as flowers or leaves. Nests are constructed in a different place off ground level.

Habitat:

Found along east coast of Australia into mountain country, usually rainforest and damp forests and spreads out into gardens, another race is found in far north Queensland.