I have been out to the Cotter picnic area early on a Monday morning and seen very large numbers (in the 3 figures) of bowerbirds feeding on the left overs. It was interesting to see the relative numbers of coloured males
and green birds.
Similarly when they used to put out seed for the parrots and cockies at Tidbinbilla it also attracted very large numbers of bowerbirds (several dozens).
We have them around most of the time – sometimes 2 coloured males. There is usually a bower in either the front or back garden.
Tony
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From:
Sent: Wednesday, 18 August 2021 6:01 PM
To:
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] Bowerbird numbers in Duffy - lots
The flocking behaviour of green birds is incredible. Females mature at 2-3 years, males aren’t blue until year seven. Clutch size is normally two, but can be one or three. Those young birds have to go and hang out somewhere!!
You might be familiar with the study near Moruya conducted by Michael and Sarah Guppy and myself. Michael has spoken to COG a couple of times about it. The study plot is about ten hectares and there is one blue male bowerbird territory.
In the eight years of data collected, breeding was attempted four times.
Of course, the study was a repeat of the work conducted by Sarah’s dad, Stephen Marchant, from 1975-1984. Stephen found that there was only one bower owned by the same bird in the study site. His report stated that birds were not really
numerous. That is until 1979 when he made an effort to band them. He ended up banding a total of 234 birds in ten years, with 187 of those between April and October 1979. Retraps were few; a handful were sighted in the plot, one was seen 11km away a year later,
one seen 8km away five years later. The majority dispersed and weren’t seen again.
Many years ago I spoke with a landholder at reidsdale, south of Braidwood, about bowerbirds. He said the green birds would come in huge numbers in winter, feeding on flowers in the apple orchards.
On 18 Aug 2021, at 4:52 pm, Paul Gatenby via Canberrabirds <> wrote:
The number of satin bowerbirds is really interesting. I saw nearly 100 flocking on their way to roosting at Broulee about 4 weeks ago I wondered if there had been a bumper season at the end of
a drought with more birds pushed into unburnt areas
Paul A Gatenby AM
Professor Emeritus
ANU Medical School
From: Canberrabirds <> on behalf of Jean Casburn <>
Sent: Wednesday, 18 August 2021 4:46 PM
To: Canberra birds <>
Subject: [Canberrabirds] Bowerbird numbers in Duffy - lots
A leisurely stroll around the streets of Duffy, led me to remark to myself on the large numbers of ‘green’ Bowerbirds distributed around the suburb. Not counted but seen flying vigorously about and heard vocalising variably. Estimate 40 or more – also the
odd Male. The bushy habitat of many gardens is ideal for these Bowerbirds.
I also have a very pleasant habit of sitting outside in my GBS in the late afternoon to watch the birds coming out of Duffy and flying overhead to roost in Narrabundah Hill and some to roost nearby within the suburb. Yesterday I counted flying over 16 Bowerbirds,
18 King Parrots, 24 Red-rumped Parrots (local roost), 8 Crimson Rosellas, 9 Red Wattlebirds (very much an underestimate) 2 rare Rainbow Lorikeet and sundry other of the usuals.
Jean
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