Spotted Catbird - The spotted catbird can be found in North Queensland, Australia and the island of New Guinea, including the surrounding islands. The name originated because of their cat-like wails and black ear spot. They often forage on the ground and use their strong feet and powerful bills to east small fruits. The spotted catbird belongs to the Ailuroedus genus of the bowerbird family, which consists of monogamous pairs that do not build a bower, but instead, the male and female pair both defend an all-purpose territory. |
Flame Bowerbird- The Flame bowerbird is one of the most brilliantly colored species of bowerbird, and is distributed in rainforests of New Guinea. The male is a medium sized bird, with flame orange and golden yellow plumage, and a yellow-tipped black tail. Because of the male's beautifully colored plumage, the flame bowerbird was previously thought to be a "bird of paradise". He has an interesting courtship behavior, where he twists his tail and his wings to the side, and then shakes his head quickly.
Western Bowerbird- The western bowerbird can be found in Australia, and is smaller than most of the bowerbird species it shares its habitat with. Both males and females are around the same size and dimensions, except that the female's tail is slightly longer. The plumage of the male is brown with reddish or buff spots over the throat, chest, neck, back head and wings. The female plumage is the same as the male except with a more spotted throat.
Macgregor's Bowerbird- The macgregor's bowerbird is a medium sized bowerbird located in New Guinea's mountain forests. They are about the size and shape of a robin and are long and olive colored. The male is adorned with an orange yellow crest, that is partly hidden unless courtship is in display. The male macgregor's bowerbird builds a maypole-like bower, and struts and calls when a female comes into close proximity with his bower. The macgregor's bowerbird is known to be a superb mimic, mimicking other birds, pigs, rushing water, and even human speech.