Stage is set for Bowerbird’s springtime mating dance
Love is in the air, with nature putting on a spring stage show, including this bowerbird seen building an “amphitheatre” at Healesville Sanctuary
The striking male Regent Bowerbird was filmed building a bower, which acts like a miniature amphitheatre, where he can dance and show off as part of a mating ritual to woo a female.
These types of bowers are often decorated with blue, green, or white objects found within the bird’s territory.
The ground structures may look like an elaborate nest, but are usually created underneath shrubs and foliage and have a different purpose to the nest a female bird builds to raise their young.
Healesville Sanctuary Bird Keeper Sarah Carter said Bowerbirds can put on stunning displays in these self-made stages that only last for about two weeks.
“The natural behaviour of the bird is to dance, mimicry and strut around in the structure,” Ms Carter said.
“It’s rumoured that Mick Jagger stole several of his moves from this bird!
“A better bower, with better decorations, equals more girls. The experienced males with the best bower locations and materials will regularly mate with more females, compared to the inexperienced bower builders.”
Regent Bowerbirds are typically found in leafy areas along the east coast of Australia, spanning from central Queensland into New South Wales.
However, their close relative - the Satin Bowerbird - also creates bowers and can be widely found in Victoria. The Satin Bowerbird is black and blue in colouring and, if you look carefully while on your next neighbourhood nature walk, you may just see one creating a courtship stage.
Zoos Victoria’s three zoos – Werribee Open Range Zoo, Melbourne Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary – are currently closed to members and visitors in line with current COVIDSafe directions.
However, animal lovers at home can stay connected through Zoos Victoria’s Animals at Home live stream cameras at zoo.org.au/animals-at-home