bowerbird

Everyday

A bowerbird is a bird from Australia and New Guinea; the male builds a decorated shelter of twigs (a bower) to attract a female. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons about animal behaviour, the satin bowerbird collects blue things such as feathers, flowers, bottle caps and pegs to decorate his bower; females choose the best builder. Australian children often see bowerbirds in gardens. It is an example of courtship and of animals using objects.

Examples

• The bowerbird decorated his bower with blue bottle tops. tree →
• A male bowerbird builds a bower to impress a female. tree →
• Bowerbirds live in Australia and New Guinea. tree →
• The satin bowerbird loves anything blue. tree →
• The bowerbird stole a blue peg from our washing line. tree →
• Scientists study how bowerbirds choose colours. tree →

Note

One word. A bower is a shady shelter; the bird is named after the bower it builds. The bower is not a nest; eggs are laid elsewhere.