Some may have noticed I have good access to a bower and bowerbirds (based on posts I've made to birdlifephotography). I've taken 100s of stills of them but have recently dabbled in doing videos. I'm definitely not experienced in video work but felt compelled to share the amazing behavior of these birds, particularly for those who haven't had much chance to see them.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRaYCc8f1qE


The video clips of the birds that make this up were done in mid February. I've only just gotten around to loading and using some video tools to put this video together.


One interesting thing of note about the video is the unusual mimicry. In this case, the bird seems to be mimicking the sound it makes itself when hopping or landing on the ground. At least, that's my guess at what the sound is. I've sent this clip to Gerald Borgia in the US whose research lab works on satin bowerbird behaviour. He thinks it's novel but suspects the bird is copying the sound of my camera shutter. He's running some comparisons now to see if that holds true (I sent him a recording of my camera).


Hope you find it (and these birds) as interesting as I do. I've spent many hours in my garden just watching and enjoying them.


Cheers

Glenn

Thanks very much Glen. Your clip made my morning.

The male looks extraordinary in his mix of feathers! I wonder what the female will think of him once he's mature?

Good to kick off the video section so well.

Seems to me that the female is not at all interested in this "teenager". Maybe it's because his plumage is definitely not adult male.

Rob

Hi Glenn
What a great video. I especially like your introduction where the bird is jumping around behind you and the explanation of the noises being made. We also get them in our yard in winter when they come down from Mt Glorious. I retrieve all my blue pegs from around the bower once they have gone.

Julie