Bowerbird Nesting (All You Need To Know)

There are 27 kinds Mouthsauridae family, a fascinating group of birds found only in Australia and New Guinea. Eight species of bowerbirds are found in mainland Australia, and they are mostly found in the northern and eastern parts of the continent.

Bowerbirds are known for their male courtship behavior, but what about their nesting habits?

Bowerbirds are polygamous, meaning a male can mate with more than one female in a single season. Only the female is responsible for building a simple cup-shaped nest well off the ground in trees and shrubs. There she usually lays an egg or two, which she hatches alone. The eggs hatch after about three weeks and she feeds the chicks for up to 11 weeks before they are fully independent.

Many birders mistake gazebos (built by male birds) for bird nests. In fact, the sole purpose of these intricate and fascinating structures is to attract the female eye. If she is properly impressed, she will mate with the males and go on to raise their offspring on her own.

Many birders mistake gazebos (built by male birds) for nests

There are two types of gazebos, with the boulevard style being the most common. The structures consist of a strip of parallel walls made of carefully arranged wooden sticks. Male bowerbirds go even further, adorning their masterpieces with piles of trinkets.

Color vision allows them to choose items of just the right color to win over females, depending on the species involved. For example, female satin bowerbirds are most attracted to blue objects, while male fang-billed bowerbirds prefer only green leaves.

This article describes the nesting habits of Australian bowerbirds. Read on to learn more about where these birds nest, how they care for their young, and other interesting facts about their nesting behavior.

Closeup of a perched satin bower bird

Where Do Bowerbirds Nest?

Bowerbirds typically nest in trees and other vegetation. They build their nests at various heights from the ground, depending on their species and the habitat they live in. The nest itself is usually built on a fork or something else that provides a stable foundation.

Western bowerbirds are unique in that they inhabit the outback of the Northern Territory and Western Australia, often nesting in shrubs and small trees only two to six meters above the ground.

The remaining species live in wetter environments and often nest in higher vegetation.

Rainforest species such as the regent bowerbird already nest 31 meters above the ground, while the satin bowerbird will nest at heights of up to 40 metres.

What does a bowerbird’s nest look like?

The female bowerbird builds a simple saucer- or cup-shaped nest of twigs. The nest can be very sparse, although she will line the inside with smaller twigs or softer materials such as grass and cushioning leaves.

This inner cup keeps eggs from falling out and provides a more comfortable, insulated surface for growing chicks and brood mother.

Read on to learn more about gardener’s nests.

Western bowerbird in Northern Territory, Australia

How big is a bowerbird’s nest?

While male bowerbirds may build elaborate structures that exceed two meters in height, female bowerbird nest structures are much simpler, large enough to safely support a hatching mother and her one to three growing chicks.

What time of year do bowerbirds nest?

Most bowerbirds breed during the warmer months of the year, peaking in spring. However, some species are less time-critical than others, such as the great bowerbird of northern Australia, which has been documented to nest every month except April and June.

Read on to find out when 8 Australian bowerbird species nest:

• Regent bowerbird (silkworm): September to February
• golden bowerbird (newton weak bird): September to February
• Satin bowerbird (Violet-billed Dragon): August to February
• Spotted bowerbird (Chlamydia spot): July to March
• Great bowerbird (Chlamydia): July to March
• Yellow-breasted bowerbird (Chlamydia cervicalis): September to December
• western bowerbird (Chlamydia): July to March
• Fang-billed bowerbird (Snout grass): September to January

Male regent bower bird perched on a tree

How long do bowerbirds nest?

Bowerbirds typically nest for six to seven weeks. This period includes the week or so it takes for the female to build her nest. After about three weeks of incubation, the eggs will hatch, and after another three weeks, the chicks are ready to leave the nest.

However, young birds are not necessarily fully independent after fledgling, and some will be fed by their mother for up to eight weeks.

How do bowerbirds build their nests?

Only the female bowerbird builds the nest. She will use her bills to collect building materials such as tree branches and orchid stems to build structures, then manipulate them and weave them into place. The female then gathers softer materials such as twigs, green leaves, tendrils, and grass to form the inner cup.

When do baby bowerbirds leave the nest?

Young bowerbirds leave the nest about three weeks after hatching.

Golden bower bird perched on a branch

How many nests do bowerbirds have?

Bowerbirds only have one brood per year. Given time, the female may produce a replacement clutch if the first clutch fails due to a predator attack or storm damage.

Do bowerbirds nest in the same place every year?

Bowerbirds typically build a new nest each breeding season, even though they may nest in the same neighborhood each year. This habit can lead to large numbers of abandoned nests in localized areas.

What Do Gardener Bird Eggs Look Like?

Bowerbirds lay one to three eggs that vary in color and marking, depending on the parent species. Their eggs range from the plain creamy color of the golden bowerbird to the spotted bowerbird of the satin bowerbird.

The prize for the most attractive egg of this flock may be the spotted bowerbird. This relatively drab species lays eggs in intricate patterns with dark brown and black stripes or worm-like patterns.

Close up portrait of satin bower bird

What Month Do Bowerbirds Lay Eggs?

Bowerbirds lay their eggs at different times of the year depending on their species and location. Generally, peak spawning occurs between September and November, but some species may spawn in any month.

Do bowerbirds abandon their nests?

Bowerbirds typically build a new nest each breeding season. Like most birds, once eggs are laid, they do not abandon the nest easily. Of course, nesting birds should never be disturbed, so if you come across an active nest, give them plenty of space.

Spotted bower bird in his gazebo, attracts a female

Bowerbird Nesting FAQs

Do Bowerbirds Nest in Backyards?

Bowerbirds occasionally nest in backyards with suitable vegetation. Male satin bowerbirds even build their charming gazebos in the gardens of some lucky homeowners.

Do bowerbirds nest on the ground?

Bowerbirds nest in trees and tall shrubs. Male bowerbirds build their elaborate pavilions on the ground, which are often mistaken for nests.

Do male bowerbirds sit on eggs?

Male bowerbirds neither incubate eggs nor feed chicks. In fact, attracting females and mating are the end of the male bowerbird’s reproductive responsibilities.

Do Bowerbirds Nest in Trees?

Bowerbirds nest in trees and other vegetation up to a height of about 40 meters. Depending on the species, the nest is usually located within a few hundred meters of the male gazebo. Female bowerbirds will nest in twigs, crevices, twigs, or tangled vines.