A male bowerbird dresses up his nest.
Bird Builders A bowerbird may not dance like a bird of paradise. It doesn’t have flashy feathers, either. Yet this bird shows off in another way. It’s a master architect. It doesn’t build regular nests. It builds bird mansions. A gardener bowerbird is a good example.
First, it finds a perfect spot to build. It doesn’t search for the highest treetop. Instead, it finds a soſt and mossy spot on the forest floor. Tat doesn’t seem too safe. Yet on New Guinea, this bird doesn’t have to worry. Next, the bowerbird collects sticks and
twigs. One by one, it carefully leans them against the trunk of a young tree. Eventually, a teepee of twigs towers over the bird. Te bird isn’t done yet. It flies through the
forest looking for nuts, fungi, bright berries, or even bugs. When it spots a shiny beetle, it spears the bug with its beak. Aſter each hunting trip, the bird carefully
piles what it’s collected in front of its nest. Te bird studies its work. It moves a few berries. It rearranges its carpet of dead beetles. Tis building and decorating project can take many months. Finally, it’s done. Now it’s time to hold an open house. Te
bowerbird struts. It calls out. Its loud chirps mimic, or copy, other sounds. Te calls might sound like dripping water, flapping wings, even people talking. Tis bird does whatever it takes to get attention.
Family Feathers For the Huli people, birds of paradise are sacred. The birds’ feathers are an important part of their sing-sings, or celebrations. These girls wear colorful feathers on their
heads. Some Huli thread long, white feathers through their noses. The feathers represent the spirits of their ancestors. They believe the feathers give them strength. Today, the Huli rarely hunt these birds. So
one generation often passes their family’s feathers down to the next generation. In that way, the tradition lives on.
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2013 7
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