Great Bowerbird

The great bowerbird, Chlamydera nuchalis, stands as the largest member of its family, with a length ranging from 33 to 38 cm. Its plumage is a subtle fawny grey, and the males are distinguished by a small yet striking pink crest located on the nape of their necks.

Identification Tips

To identify the great bowerbird, look for its sizeable stature and grey coloration. The male's pink nuchal crest is a key feature, particularly visible during displays.

Habitat

This species thrives in a variety of environments, including a broad spectrum of forests and woodlands, as well as the peripheries of vine forests, monsoon forests, and mangrove swamps.

Distribution

The great bowerbird is a familiar sight across northern Australia, its range extending from the vicinity of Broome, traversing the Top End, and reaching as far as Cape York Peninsula and Mount Isa.

Behaviour

Breeding activities are central to the great bowerbird's life. Females are solitary nesters and rear their young alone. Males, on the other hand, dedicate a significant portion of the year to constructing, maintaining, and showcasing their elaborate bowers to attract potential mates.

Breeding

The female great bowerbird undertakes the task of nesting and raising the young in solitude. The male's role is to entice the female with his meticulously crafted bower and display behaviors. The bower of the great bowerbird is an architectural marvel: a twin-walled avenue-type structure, about 1 meter in length and 45 cm in height, often nestled under a shrub or leafy branch. Decorated with an array of white and green objects such as stones, bones, shells, leaves, and even human-made items like plastic and bottle caps, the bower is a testament to the male's industriousness. Some bowers even feature clear glass within their confines. Male great bowerbirds are most active in their displays on the northern platform of their north-south oriented bowers, particularly during early morning peak mating hours. This strategic orientation maximizes the reflection of light on the male's vibrant lavender nuchal crest, enhancing the visual spectacle. During these displays, males often hold colored objects in their beaks while performing a captivating bobbing motion.

Conservation status

The great bowerbird is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating a stable population without immediate threats to its survival.