The Bird Curator

Of all the avian architects, the bowerbirds of Australia and Papua New Guinea may be the most extraordinary. From PBS:
Instead of using just showy plumes or a romantic melody to attract a mate, the pigeon-sized bower bird constructs an elaborate structure — a bower — on the forest floor from twigs, leaves, and moss. It then decorates the bower with colorful baubles, from feathers and pebbles to berries and shells. The bowers aren’t nests for raising kids; they are bachelor pads designed to attract and seduce one or more mates. When a female arrives to inspect the bower, the male struts and sings. He hopes to convince her to enter the bower, where mating takes place.
Even more impressive than the birds’ architectural skills are their aesthetic sensibilities and the meticulousness with which they curate their colorful collections. This video from David Attenborough’s Life of Birds must be seen.
* Previously in the Proceedings: The Lyrebird’s Song, Wilson’s Bird of Paradise, The Bird Handbook
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