Great Bowerbird
Chlamydera nuchalis
Douglas Hot Springs, NW NT IMG_0171 20120523 - nuchalis adult male: mauve-pink nuchal crest under finely spottedsilver/darker colours, often wholly concealed when not in display. CLICK for another view.
Notes: Large. Stout decurved bill. Grey with brownish-grey back. Male
unmarked face, throat &
underparts, mauve-pink nuchal crest. Female smaller; pink
nuchal crest much smaller or absent;
traces of barring on flanks. Ssp orientalis
smaller, darker than nominate nuchalis, browner upper-
part markings contrasting
more w. whitish feather tips, underparts paler, perhaps strongly barred
on flanks.
Runs/bounds. Bower largest avenue type; decorated with white, green objects/fruits.
Range from Morcombe©(modified)
Gibb River Road, NW WA IMG_9887 20180827 - nuchalis adult in worn plumage.
Edith Falls, NC NT IMG_1397 20160810 - nuchalis adult male.
Keep River NP, NW NT IMG_4786 20160710 - nuchalis adult male.
Lake Argyle Caravan Park, NE WA IMG_6287 20180810 - nuchalis adult male in ritual posture moving objects at bower.
Kelly-St.George River, Desailly, FN Qld IMG_7686 20180307 - orientalis male: unmaked under, obvious crest, more brownishupperpart markings contrasting more w. whitish feather tips.
Moreton Telegraph Station, CYPAL, FNE Qld IMG_4065 20220806 - orientalis male. CLICK for a bower on Wenlock River,CYPAL, FNE Qld 20160921.
8 Mile Creek, Kennedy Development Road, FN Qld IMG_3515 20200903 - orientalis female: barring on flanks, crest absent?
Georgetown Park, FN Qld IMG_0811 20210509 - orientalis female or juvenile: barring on flanks, some white spotting onupperparts (as per juvenile), crest absent?
Cumberland Dam, Georgetown, FN Qld IMG_6997 20200624 - orientalis adult eating peel.
Pine Creek, N NT MVI_5576 20180804 - nuchalis adult male tending bower.
Lake Argyle Caravan Park, NE WAss MVI_6292+6289 20180810 - nuchalis adult male checking on another bowerbird.