FAMILY NAME: Ptilonorhynchidae SCIENTIFIC NAME: Ptilonorhynchus violaceus SUBSPECIES: minor
SIZE: 28 to 34cm. (11" to 14") tip to tail.
LOCATION: Found down the eastern coastal regions and ranges of Australia.
BREEDING: Breeding season is from September to February, laying from 2 to 3 eggs. Their nests are made of a loose platform of sticks, 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, and decorates the surrounding area with colourful objects, especially blue, if they can be found. 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 shiny black in colour, whilst the female is well camouflaged in mottled green and brown. Both have violet iris.
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
