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bowerbird
bowerbird common name for any of several species of birds of the family Ptilonorhynchidae, native to Australia and New Guinea, which build, for courtship display, a bower of sticks or grasses. Usually the males construct the bowers, some of which are large (up to 9 ft/275 cm high), while others are like small cabins or runways. The crestless gardener bowerbird, Amblyornis inornatus, makes a lawn around its bower. Colored stones, shells, feathers, flowers, and other bright objects, which are replaced when they become withered or worn, are used to decorate the lawns and the bowers. The satin bowerbird, Ptilonorhyncus violaceus, prefers blue decorative articles. The bower is constructed by the male in his effort to attract a female and probably has no other function than for the courtship performance. After mating has taken place in the bower, a nest is built by the female away from the bower, and there the clutch of two eggs is laid. The birds are crowlike and lack the showy plumage of the related bird of paradise. The bowers may be high pyramids, such as those built by the five species of maypole builder bowerbirds, or lower, more intricate, and painted with blue and green paints made of saliva and pigments, such as those built by the satin bowerbird and regent bowerbird ( Sericulus chrysocephalus ). The great gray bowerbird (genus Chlamydera ) of Australia is the largest member of the family, being 15 in. (37.5 cm) long. Bowerbirds do not have very pleasant calls, but they are good mimics; sometimes other species' songs are included in their repertoires. Bowerbirds are classified in the phylum Chordata , subphylum Vertebrata, class Aves, order Passeriformes, family Ptilonorhynchidae. |
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"bowerbird." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "bowerbird." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-bowerbir.html "bowerbird." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-bowerbir.html |
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Ptilonorhynchidae
Ptilonorhynchidae (bowerbirds, catbirds; class Aves, order Passeriformes) A family of medium-sized to large birds, which are mainly black, grey, or blue, marked with other brilliant colours. They have stout bills, short to medium, rounded wings, and short to long tails. Some species have a crest or coloured ruff of feathers. They inhabit forests, feed on insects, fruit, and seeds, and nest in trees. The males build an elaborate bower or display ground which is decorated with coloured flowers, berries, and other objects. There are eight genera, with 18 species, found in New Guinea and Australia.
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MICHAEL ALLABY. "Ptilonorhynchidae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "Ptilonorhynchidae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Ptilonorhynchidae.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "Ptilonorhynchidae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Ptilonorhynchidae.html |
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bowerbird
bowerbird Forest bird of New Guinea and Australia. The male builds a simple but brightly ornamented bower to attract the female. After mating, the female lays one to three eggs in a cup-shaped nest. Adults, mainly terrestrial, have short wings and legs, and variously coloured plumage. Length: 25–38cm (10–15in). Family Ptilonorhynchidae.
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"bowerbird." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "bowerbird." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-bowerbird.html "bowerbird." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-bowerbird.html |
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bowerbird
bow·er·bird / ˈbou(-ə)rˌbərd/ • n. a strong-billed Australasian bird (family Ptilonorhynchidae), noted for the male's habit of constructing an elaborate bower adorned with feathers, shells, and other objects to attract the female for courtship. |
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"bowerbird." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "bowerbird." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-bowerbird.html "bowerbird." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-bowerbird.html |
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bowerbirds
bowerbirds See PTILONORHYNCHIDAE.
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Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "bowerbirds." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "bowerbirds." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-bowerbirds.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "bowerbirds." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-bowerbirds.html |
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bowerbird
bowerbird
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•blackbird • yardbird • cage bird
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•dickybird • mockingbird • whirlybird
•hummingbird • nightbird • songbird
•shorebird • bluebird • lovebird
•lyrebird • bowerbird • thunderbird
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•potsherd • catchword • password
•headword • swear word • keyword
•byword • watchword • crossword
•foreword • loanword • buzzword
•afterword
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Cite this article
"bowerbird." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "bowerbird." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-bowerbird.html "bowerbird." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-bowerbird.html |
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