canberrabirds

Bowerbird with display material in its beak?

To: "COG bird discussions" <>
Subject: Bowerbird with display material in its beak?
From: "Denis Wilson" <>
Date: Sat, 1 Dec 2007 00:32:56 +1100
Yesterday, in a friends garden in Robertson (Sthn Highlands) there was a Male Satin Bowerbird calling actively, near its "bower".
 
It was carrying something in its beak, which I cannot identify. Presumably it is part of its "display" routine. Pardon the poor quality image, but it was photographed at long range, through a pane of glass. It is rare to get a chance to photograph a "blue bird" as they are pretty secretive. So this one, with some display material in its beak was definitely worth trying to record.
 
 
On being "blown up" I still cannot identify what the bird was holding in its beak.
Whatever it was, the bird was very proud of it, for it held this material for some time, before it flew off. .
 
Despite their well known obsession with blue objects, I have observed male Satin Bowerbirds collecting yellow flowers previously.
But I cannot make out what this object might be.
 
Any suggestions as to what is going on in this image?
 
Cheers
 
Denis Wilson
Robertson NSW
 
Love to Grow: Grow to Love
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