Western Bowerbird

The Western Bowerbird (Chlamydera guttata) is possibly my favourite of the brown bowerbirds. Its plumage is just gorgeous. I first saw them in the Olive Pink Botanic Garden in Alice Springs. The bower was under a bush right out in the open. I spent some considerable time sitting in the dust watching the male and female come and go.

This Bowerbird is found in dry areas of central and western Australia.

The male bird that I watched decorated the bower with white stones and green fruit, which he offered to the female when she visited. As usual, she gave no indication of how impressed she was (or not).

The Western Bowerbird has a pink crest which he shows as part of the ritual around the bower. He also puffs himself up and runs around a lot.

Below is a recording, also taken at the Olive Pink Gardens.