FAMILY NAME: Ptilonorhynchidae SCIENTIFIC NAME: Sericulus chrysocephalus SUBSPECIES: none
SIZE: 25 to 30cm. (10" to 12") tip to tail.
LOCATION: Found along the central eastern coastal regions and ranges of Australia.
BREEDING: Breeding season is from September to March, laying from 1 or 2 eggs. Their nests are made of a loose saucer of twigs and leaves, high up in the tree. The female hatches the eggs and raises the young on her own.
GENERAL: The male builds his bower out of fine sticks. He will go through an elaborate courting display to impress the female, and if she is interested, they will mate inside the bower. The male is glossy black in colour with brilliant yellow head, nape and primary feathers, whilst the female is well camouflaged in mottled fawn and brown. The male has a yellow iris and bill, whilst the female's are brown.
References:
Michael Morecombe. Field Guide to Australian Birds, Complete Compact Edtion.
Ken Simpson - Nicholas Day. The Birds of Australia.
M. Blakers - S. J. J. F. Davies - P. N. Reilly. The Atlas of Australian Birds.
Birds in Backyards. www.birdsinbackyards.net
