Ptilonorhynchus violaceus
The males and females of the Satin Bowerbird are quite different. The females and young males are very similar, with the males beginning to change to adult male plumage at about the 5th year, reaching full maturity at the 7th year. They have striking violet/blue eyes, and the adult male is glossy black.
The Satin Bowerbird is best known for the stick bowers the male birds construct, decorated with bright blue objects. The male performs a display at the bower for visiting females.
The Satin Bowerbird is an uncommon visitor to our garden. They seem to arrive in August and stay around for a short while. They are mainly fruit eaters, and are attracted to the fruit on the palm trees and to the feeders on our verandah.
Images of the Satin Bowerbird
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See my blog “Satin Bowerbird drops by” for more on the Satin Bowerbird at Crater Lakes Rainforest Cottages .