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FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
If you are interested in learning about different types of bowerbirds, then you are going to love this article on golden bowerbirds. The golden bowerbird is a type of passerine bowerbird found only in the forests of Queensland, Australia. Here, it is restricted to forests on the Atherton Tableland. Bowerbirds are so-called because of the elaborate bowers or attractive structures they make to attract females. The golden bowerbird has one of the most complex mating rituals among all bird species and many researchers are trying to understand its evolutionary benefits. They are different from the golden fronted bowerbird, which has a yellow crest on its head.
These birds build interesting nests within tree crevices that are lined with leaves, tendrils, and other soft materials. Recently, the bowers of these birds as well the birds themselves are being spotted less and less within rainforests, which is believed to be a sign of climate change. However, their overall population is believed to be relatively stable. Bowerbirds have a variety of vocal ranges and are great mimics, sometimes imitating calls of pigs and even humans!
If this is of interest, then check out these facts about the cape starling and Gloster canary too.
The golden bowerbird is a type of bird. It is one of the 90 species of bowerbirds found in Australia.
The Australian golden bowerbird belongs to the class of Aves.
The exact number of breeding golden bowerbirds is not known.
The golden bowerbird is a species endemic to Australia. Here, it is mostly found in a fragmented manner across northeastern Queensland.
The golden bowerbird species is found exclusively within rainforest habitats in Queensland. They dwell at elevations of around 2296 ft (700 m).
Golden bowerbirds are generally seen flying in flocks. They also build their nests close together.
According to the IUCN, the Australian golden bowerbird has an average lifespan of 12.7 years in the wild. However, the maximum recorded age of males is 23 years, and that of females is 14 years.
Bowerbirds are known especially for the behavior they exhibit during the courtship and breeding season. The male of the species engages in elaborate displays, which may include both physical plumage displays as well as structural displays. They build a 'bower' structure with sticks and other colorful, decorative items. These bowers, along with the golden bowerbird dance, serve to attract potential female mates. The constructed bowers of the males may remain the same for as long as 30 years, with them continuously adding to it. Females visit several bowers, assess the quality and display of each. All constructed bowers are unique and reflect the males who made them or the females they are trying to attract.
Did you know that the golden bowerbird is the smallest in size of all bowerbirds but builds the largest bowers? There seems to be a complex evolutionary procedure at play here, with females choosing the genetically strongest males based on their bowers. After mating, females build a nest in the tree using leaves. This takes around 25 days. The eggs are laid in a batch of one to three eggs and incubation lasts for 21–23 days. Once the young are born, the female raises them alone. The females are generally polygynous during the mating season.
The golden bowerbird has been classified as a bird of Least Concern by the IUCN and is not endangered. Their populations are stable across the forest region of Queensland. Some species, like satin bowerbirds, are protected by law due to low populations. The main threat to golden bowerbirds is habitat change. Since they build their bowers on the ground, waterlogging tends to destroy these, though the birds are not explicitly harmed. If this happens, most birds choose to move elsewhere and start again. However, it is noteworthy that earlier bowers that lived for 20-30 years are now fast disappearing due to climate change.
Golden bowerbird (Prionodura newtoniana) males have a bright yellow plumage. Their heads, sides, and wings are an olive-green color that morphs into a brown color near their wingtips and tail. The bird has a blue-gray and black bill. Females are considerably duller with gray and brown plumage and no yellow feathers. They have a large head with a rounded body shape and a short tail.
Like tailorbirds, the Australian male golden bowerbird is adorable with its short beak and bright yellow color. Females of the species are duller and comparatively rounder in shape. On the whole, the small size of bowerbirds and their bright coloring makes them look very cute and approachable.
This Australian bird species communicates by producing a range of vocal sounds. This includes a rattling sound produced at regular intervals and other types of whistles, screeches, and squeals. During the breeding season, they may indulge in courtship with a song-like call. Bowerbirds are great at mimicking the calls of other birds.
The golden bowerbird is the smallest bowerbird species with a length of 8.7 in (22 cm), making them smaller than the flame bowerbird.
The golden bowerbird can fly quite fast and is often seen flitting from tree to tree. They can also fly to high elevations of up to 4920 ft (1500 m).
This Australian bird weighs around 2.5 oz (70 g). On average, females are heavier than males.
Both males and females of this bird species are called bowerbirds. Generally, male birds are called 'cocks', and females are called 'hens'.
A baby golden bowerbird is known as a 'nestling'.
The golden bowerbird eats fruits and flowers, along with small insects like spiders, wasps, and beetles.
The golden bowerbird is not at all dangerous to humans, though they do have a habit of stealing small and colorful items to decorate their nests with.
The golden bowerbird is found exclusively in the forest and is not adapted to captive or urban living. It is also known for its fast flight. Hence, they are not suitable for being kept as pets within confined spaces.
Golden bowerbirds make a special type of bower. While most bowers arch to converge at the top, the bowers of golden bowerbirds have two tall tower-like structures supported in the form of a maypole. These maypole structures can be as high as 12 ft (3m)!
Golden bowerbirds are known for their unique courting process, which extends to all bowerbird species. Males spend a lot of time and effort on the bowers to attract females. They also perform a courtship dance. Females also inspect multiple nests before settling on a partner, but they eventually bring up the chicks alone. Scientists believe that this elaborate behavior indicates that females gain a lot from the relationship, though it is not exactly clear what that is. As of now, this courtship process seems to be an interesting evolutionary process that ensures only the best of the lot are able to mate. Some bowerbird species like the satin bowerbirds are known to collect blue items due to their own blue, satiny sheen, but golden bowerbirds make their bowers unique by building them in a different structure to other bowerbirds.
No, they do not. Bowerbirds follow a polygynous mating system, where the female builds the nest and raises the kids alone after mating.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds from our gnatcatcher facts and giant kingfisher facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Golden bowerbird coloring pages.
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising.
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