The Satin Bowerbird is a fascinating species found only in Australia. It is one of 20 Bowerbird species in the world. 10 found in New Guinea, 8 in Australia, and 2 found in both places.
Satin Bowerbirds are widespread in Victoria and New South Wales and have an isolated population in North Queensland between Atherton and Cooktown.
They prefer fringe habitats between tall trees and open grasslands, rainforest edges, and bushland with open edges and are often found on the fringe ecotones of these habitats. During Autumn and Winter, they are known to move into townships, parks, and gardens, where their population is mostly females and immature males. Immature males are mostly indistinguishable from females until they reach maturity in their 7th year and gain their glossy blue-black feathers.
Seen as pests by affected fruit growers, they eat mostly ripened fruit and can cause considerable damage to fruit orchards, but they also eat insects, leaves, flowers, and seeds.
Known for their courtship rituals, the adult male meticulously constructs a bower made with 2 parallel stick walls approximately 30-50mm tall, painted with chewed-up vegetable matter and saliva, with a stick base. Then, to decorate the bower, the Satin Bowerbird will use mostly blue coloured objects to surround the bower. Items such as berries, flower petals, snail shells and parrot feathers, found in the surrounding area. When in range of human inhabitants, the decorative objects may include bread clips, bottle tops, straws and other human-manufactured items.
At this time of year, you may find them in community gardens and parks with fruit trees. Currently, Colac Botanic Gardens has many females and immature males. As well as a small number of adult males and active bowers.
Published 09/07/2025
Colac Birder 