Uploaded January 2021 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
The Spotted Bowerbird is one of 10 Australian Bowerbirds including the Catbirds. It has a large distribution across much of dryer Queensland and New South Wales.
This species builds a display bower to attract females for courting and mating. Many hours are spent at the bower decorating and painting in order to achieve the best Bower in the region. This is often accompanied by much hissing and squeeking, along with a form of dance where the males exposes his beautiful Lilac nape.
Successful males with mate with as many females as possible and they, in turn will raise the offspring independently. I filmed this pair attending the Bower in Cloncurry, North Queensland.
Description from Birdlife Australia.
Meduim-sized birds with bold rich-buff spots on a pale brown mantle/wings/rump. Both sexes have a erectile pink crest on their nape and an ash-grey patch on their lower nape. Their flight is swift, direct and undulating, with powerful wing-beats of their upswept wing-tips with well-defined ‘fingers’; the wings close briefly at the apex of each undulation and open with each dip. They remain close to the canopy when flying above the vegetation. Males often call and display on the ground as well as in branches. I began birdwatching when I was 12 and progressed to bird photography and then to bird Video for the past 15 years.
Originally from the UK, I find birding in Australia exciting and engaging. I have now travelled around Australia twice but mainly film birds in Queensland.
Many of the bird clips are taken from hides or blinds that I construct from bush materials, saving the need to carry a hide to a location.
Knowing bird calls and song is a big part of finding each species and naturally, knowing the habitat requirements helps also.
The Spotted Bowerbird is one of 10 Australian Bowerbirds including the Catbirds. It has a large distribution across much of dryer Queensland and New South Wales.
This species builds a display bower to attract females for courting and mating. Many hours are spent at the bower decorating and painting in order to achieve the best Bower in the region. This is often accompanied by much hissing and squeeking, along with a form of dance where the males exposes his beautiful Lilac nape.
Successful males with mate with as many females as possible and they, in turn will raise the offspring independently. I filmed this pair attending the Bower in Cloncurry, North Queensland.
Description from Birdlife Australia.
Meduim-sized birds with bold rich-buff spots on a pale brown mantle/wings/rump. Both sexes have a erectile pink crest on their nape and an ash-grey patch on their lower nape. Their flight is swift, direct and undulating, with powerful wing-beats of their upswept wing-tips with well-defined ‘fingers’; the wings close briefly at the apex of each undulation and open with each dip. They remain close to the canopy when flying above the vegetation. Males often call and display on the ground as well as in branches. I began birdwatching when I was 12 and progressed to bird photography and then to bird Video for the past 15 years.
Originally from the UK, I find birding in Australia exciting and engaging. I have now travelled around Australia twice but mainly film birds in Queensland.
Many of the bird clips are taken from hides or blinds that I construct from bush materials, saving the need to carry a hide to a location.
Knowing bird calls and song is a big part of finding each species and naturally, knowing the habitat requirements helps also.
