Here is a Vogelkop bowerbird with his very clever bower.

Today I want to write about one of the greatest architects in nature, the Vogelkop bowerbird.

Here are five interesting facts about them:

1. These medium-sized birds grow to about 25 cm long.
2. Whilst they look plain compared with other bowerbirds, males are able to build amazing structures to attract a mate.  These bowers are built around the base of a tree and can be 1 metre high and 1.6 metres across.
3. After they have finished building, the Vogelkop bowerbirds start decorating.  They start by clearing an area and covering it with moss.  Then each male shows their different style, collecting flowers, fruit, shiny beetles, leaves, fungus and even deer dung (yuk).  They take great care placing them in little groups with the same colours together.
4. The males are also excellent mimics, able to copy the calls and songs of many other forest birds.
5. These marvellous birds are only found in a few mountains in New Guinea.  Despite their small range, they are very abundant and in no danger of extinction.

I hope that you found these facts interesting and learned something new.

Are there any other interesting facts that you would like to share about Vogelkop bowerbirds?