bowerbird
Australian nest artist
Bowerbirds are medium-sized birds native to Australia and New Guinea, famous for the elaborate structures males build to attract mates.
The bower—a construction of sticks decorated with colorful objects like flowers, shells, and bottle caps—is not a nest but a display arena.
Males spend hours arranging and rearranging decorations.
The word extends figuratively to anyone who obsessively collects and arranges objects: He's a bowerbird for vintage records.
Arrangement of interconnected parts
- constructionProcess of building something
- avenueBroad urban roadway
- platformRaised flat structure
- decorationObject adding visual appeal
architecture · twigs · sticks · arrangement · craftsmanship · engineering · weaving · assembly
Gathered set of items
- treasuresPrized possessions or valuables
- objectsTangible items or protests
- bluePrimary color; also sad
- shinyReflecting light smoothly
ornaments · shells · feathers · berries · flowers · beetles · plastic · glass
Presentation for viewing
- matePartner or companion
- ritualCeremonial set of actions
- danceRhythmic bodily movement
- attractionPull toward something
seduction · breeding · territory · male · female · pairing · bonding · nuptial
Bird's complete feather coat
- ornithologyScientific study of birds
- passerinePerching bird order member
- AustraliaSouthern Hemisphere continent-country
- rainforestWet tropical woodland ecosystem
endemic · satin · regent · great · spotted · species · fledgling · birder
Copy of the original
- vocalizationProducing sounds with voice
- songMusical piece with words
- soundsAudible vibrations
- callsContacts by telephone
mimic · copycat · repertoire · adaptation · kookaburra · chainsaw · echo · impersonation
structure
Arrangement of interconnected parts
- constructionProcess of building something
- avenueBroad urban roadway
- platformRaised flat structure
decoration · architecture · twigs · sticks · arrangement · craftsmanship · engineering · weaving · assembly · framework
collection
Gathered set of items
- treasuresPrized possessions or valuables
- objectsTangible items or protests
- bluePrimary color; also sad
shiny · ornaments · shells · feathers · berries · flowers · beetles · plastic · glass · stones
display
Presentation for viewing
attraction · seduction · breeding · territory · male · female · pairing · bonding · nuptial · performance
plumage
Bird's complete feather coat
- ornithologyScientific study of birds
- passerinePerching bird order member
- AustraliaSouthern Hemisphere continent-country
rainforest · endemic · satin · regent · great · spotted · species · fledgling · birder · frugivore
imitation
Copy of the original
- vocalizationProducing sounds with voice
- songMusical piece with words
- soundsAudible vibrations
calls · mimic · copycat · repertoire · adaptation · kookaburra · chainsaw · echo · impersonation · learning
- animal architectsbeaver, beehive, honeycomb, spider web, termite mound
- Australian wildlifekangaroo, koala, platypus, echidna, wombat
- Australasian birdsemu, kookaburra, galah, cockatoo, kiwi
- New GuineaPapua New Guinea, cassowary, tree kangaroo, pidgin, longhouse
- New Guinea wildlifecassowary, tree kangaroo, echidna, bandicoot, lorikeet
- Unusual Birdsshoebill, hoatzin, kakapo, potoo, oilbird
bowerbirdcuckoo
Brood parasite bird
brood parasite · minimalist · cowbird · ascetic · spartan