Western Bowerbird
Chlamydera guttata
A dark, brownish, mottled, strongly marked bowerbird with warm brown tones overall and a small pink crest on the nape. Inhabits woodland habitat, and often near fig trees in rocky gorges. Can also be found in gardens and urban parks within its range. Males decorate their avenue bowers with pale objects such as small bones and shells. Very similar to but darker than Spotted Bowerbird. Note range. Western Bowerbird is found in central Australia and parts of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Loud calls include hisses and rasping squawks.
Identification
The western bowerbird is smaller than the other bowerbird it shares its range with, the great bowerbird. It measures 24–28 cm (9.4–11.0 in) in length and weighs 120–150 g (4.2–5.3 oz). Both sexes are similar in size and dimensions, except that the tail of the female is slightly longer. The plumage is brown with reddish or buff spots over the throat, chest, neck, back, head and wings, with a pink erectile crest on the nape. The tail is brown and the undersides are buff. The plumage of the female is similar to the male but more spotted on the throat.
Taxonomy
There are two subspecies, the nominate Chlamydera guttata guttata, which occupies most of its range, and C. guttata cateri, which occurs only the North West Cape in Western Australia. The species was first collected in 1861 by the explorer Francis Gregory, who gave the specimen to John Gould. The specific name guttata means spotted, referring to its plumage. The species is similar to Chlamydera maculata, the spotted bowerbird, and has often been treated as a subspecies of it.
- Scientific name
- Chlamydera guttata
- Authority
- Gould, 1862
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Ptilonorhynchidae
- Genus
- Chlamydera
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Like most bowerbirds the western bowerbird is polygamous, with a male mating with several females over a breeding season and the female undertaking all nesting, incubation and chick-rearing responsibilities. As is typical in the family the male constructs an elaborate bower with which to attract females. Western bowerbird bowers are paired avenues of sticks, 20–25 cm (7.9–9.8 in) tall and 25–35 cm (9.8–13.8 in) long, placed on top of a platform of sticks. The bower is decorated with green and white objects, including berries, fruits, shells, pebbles and bones. Man-made objects may also be used for decoration, including glass, gun casings and metal objects. Each bower may be used for a number of years; when a new bower is constructed, material from the older bower may be reused. The male advertises his bower with calls; when the female arrives to inspect he will perform ritualised dances, fanning his tail, jumping and wing flicking, as well as further calling. Decorations will also be held in the bill and shaken vigorously, and the pink crest on the neck will be erected.<p>The female constructs the nest, a shallow cup of small twigs nested on a larger platform of sticks, around 2–6 m (6.6–19.7 ft) up a tree or shrub, often in a clump of mistletoe. The clutch is usually one or two eggs, which are green to buff, glossy and covered in dark scribble patterns. The incubation period is unknown.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Cream-colored Woodpecker
Celeus flavus
Distinctive yellow woodpecker of lowland Amazonia. Bright creamy yellow overall with short creamy crest, brown wings and tail, and yellow bill; male has red moustache Usually found in seasonally flooded and swampy forested areas, but can be found outside those habitats occasionally in other forested areas. Listen for a loud, descending series of whistles: “PEE-pee-pee-peer.”
Giant Coua
Coua gigas
Huge, long-tailed, long-legged bird. Rufous belly and blue-and-pink bare facial skin. Found locally in dry deciduous forest, gallery forest, and spiny forest at low and middle elevations in west and southwest Madagascar. Usually found walking along the forest floor, but will ascend to thick spots in the canopy and mid-story, especially when calling. Sometimes shy, but sometimes much more approachable than typical couas. Most common vocalization is a loud “kwaaa” followed by several lower “ku” notes. Very similar to Coquerel’s Coua, but much larger, with pink facial skin. Similar to Red-capped Coua, but much larger, with a rufous belly.
White-browed Antbird
Myrmoborus leucophrys
Small, short-tailed antbird with a bold eyebrow. Male is slaty gray with gleaming white eyebrow. Female is brown above and white below with a black face and an orange eyebrow. Found in young forests and forest edges, skulking in dense undergrowth alone or in pairs. Listen for a long series of harsh, descending whistles.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.