Hi, I live on the mid-north coast of NSW and wonder if any one can help me. Several months ago I was delighted to discover that a satin bower bird had made its bower just outside our kitchen in amongst a clump of bushes. It has been quite active around our garden and likes to steal the biscuits from our dog's bowl. Yesterday I was distressed to discover his beautiful bower that had been so meticuously tended had been flattened, although most of the blue items still remain. Could mating season be over now so he has abandoned it until next spring? Or could it be because I recently did some pruning in that garden bed? Although I was very careful not to cut anything back too low because of it. I have also been watering in that area more frequently as well because it has been so hot. As the bower is so close to our kitchen I presume it is used to us coming and going, but I will be devestated if I have not done anything to scare him away. Other than putting some more blue things out for him which I have just done - is there anything I can do to entice him back? I would really appreciate some advice. Thank you, Vicki
Hi Vicki
I am moving your thread to the general section now. Its honestly tricky to know why the bower has been flattened. Does anyone know if other males will destroy a bower. I don't think the males would do it themselves, they would just leave.
Give it time, just because you haven't seen him for a few days doesn't mean he is gone forever, I would just keep an eye out.
Hi Holly...thank you so much for your quick response. Funnily enough I did see 2 male bower birds that appeared to be sitting together in one of our trees yesterday. Whether or not there have always been a couple of males sharing the garden I don't know as I've only ever seen one at a time before. Also, this morning I did see 'a' bower bird fly into the bower this morning and fly out carrying something in its beak...which made me suspect 'my' bowerbird could be relocatlng...but maybe it was the other male. So perhaps you are right and the two of them are having a turf war!
I have a vague recollection of an old doco I saw many years ago where that was exactly what happened. One male sabotaged anothers bower but he stole some of the best ornaments too.
I recently read a book on bowerbirds in which the author managed to observe a rival male Satin damaging another's bower and stealing his most prized objects.