I have recently had a male Satin Bowerbird visit my backyard a couple of times. He showed up today with I think 4 females. They all arrived together and they all left together.
Does anyone know why they were travelling around in a group? I thought adult males were solitary.
From: http://birdsinbackyards.net/species/Ptilonorhynchus-violaceus
"Seasonal movements
The mature male Satin Bowerbirds are mostly solitary, but the 'green' birds are often seen in groups or quite large flocks. In winter (outside of the breeding season), birds move to more open country, and occasionally enter orchards. At this time, mature males may join the 'green' bird flocks."
Neville W. Cayley's field guide "What Bird is That?" also states that they flock during autumn and winter.
They're probably just lonely when it is not time for breeding, birds leading social lives are happy birds (?)
Taz
Thanks for that. I have seen flocks of green males and groups of females but had never seen an adult male with them.
No problem, Phoebe. The bird profile pages on this site give concise but very useful information.
I'm also guessing that it is just a behavioural adaptation for safer feeding, many animals tend to forage in groups.
Green males?
Taz