Satin Bowerbird photgraph identification

8 posts / 0 new

Sun, 01/02/2015 - 13:30

Shirley Hardy

I'm not sure if adding this post into the "Identifications" section is the right place for it. Feel free to suggest another section if you disagree.

With that out the way, I got to thinking about stuff and find it confusing with all the photos out there of how each bird looks slightly different from the next at the various ages of the species. This has especially happened with Satin Bowerbird photos that I've come across because adult males are all black in colour but as juveniles they look like females. Totally confusing!!!! I mean, how do you tell the difference really? We'll get to that question soon enough.

So I propose that together we all "unconfuse" ourselves (for those who are still confused about it all) and start documenting (with photographs and verbal comments via observations) the physical changes of Satin Bowerbirds from hatching from an egg to ripe old age, and even what they look like as a dead bird. This applies to both genders of this species.

So, to start this off, can anyone add photos of Satin Bowerbirds still in the nest that have recently hatched from their eggs? With or without the mother in the nest is fine. At this point I don't think we will know any of the chicks' genders.

Thu, 06/08/2015 - 13:48

Devster

Thats a good idea hyperbirds. Although I believe it takes around 7 years for the male Bowerbird to lose his femalel look.

Be good to see if there are any noticble differences and when the beak starts to change colour.

Unfortunately I only have photos of adult Bowerbirds.

Sun, 09/08/2015 - 11:29

Shirley Hardy

Thanks Devster. I'd originally posted this in the "identifications" section and moved the post the other day to this section. I, too, only have photos of adult birds, or birds that are ready for breeding. There are no males that are nesting in the area anymore so I can't add any photos yet. All that I know is the females lay the eggs in a nest she has made and tends to the chicks herself. She's a sole parent and that has to be tough work raising a chick alone - feeding for two. I'm a single mum so I can relate to that. Heck, I don't even have any nest photos of these birds. I'm hoping that some of the other members might be able to add pics, old or new photos.

Have you seen any Satin Bowerbirds in your area of late, Devster? Any idea what they might be doing? Any input you can add about their breeding observations would be great. Perhaps you can add some info about the bowers the males build to start this off before chicks are born?

I'm at Tenterfield, NSW. (Formerly known as "Hyperbirds".)

Sun, 09/08/2015 - 18:28

Petercdearie

Hyperbirds, hi. You might find this site helpful

http://www.graemechapman.com.au/library/viewphotos.php?c=27&pg=1

We have both Satin and Regent Bowerbirds congregating near our house. They appear every July. They used to do it in a small copse right behind our house but now they are about 10 or 12 metres from our front door in a jungle that has grown there. They love our unkempt garden. We live in a rainforest area in the Byron Bay hinterland so when plants get out of control it really is a jungle! :-)

They are very shy and we have to be very circumspect when watching them. My wife and I have observed juvenile males displaying to females and yesterday we when we were watching this behaviour the resident blue/black male appeared and chased the immature male away.

The only Regents we have seen so far this year have been female and immature males, one of whom is gathering blossoms which we assume is to attract females.

We have never seen a nest. The females fly off to build them in the forest. We have no idea where they go. We really enjoy them when they are around. We love hearing them imitate other bird calls and machinery.

Good luck with finding them.