while not acknowledged as often as birds like swans or cardinals as symbols romance, bowerbirds go above and beyond to impress their mates. male bowerbirds build large semi-circular structures called bowers out of straw and twigs. then, the bowers are decorated with blue and yellow objects – typically flowers and plant material, but with increased human activity in their territory, recently objects like bottlecaps and straws have become popular among the birds. the female views different males’ bowers, and the males perform courtship dances for her. the male may also present her with objects he finds. when the female selects her mate, she builds her nest within the bower.

(pictured: satin bowerbirds)

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bird of the day: pacific parrotlet

the pacific parrotlet, also known as the lesson’s parrotlet or celestial parrotlet, is a small parrot native to ecuador and peru. they are in the second smallest group of parrots, behind the fig parrots, and are part the smallest new world parrot genus.

pacific parrotlets are sexually dimorphic. males and females are easily distinguished; males have blue feathers on the wing and base of the tail and a small blue stripe behind the eye, whereas females are only green.

parrotlets feed off of fruit, berries, seeds, and plant matter.

pacific parrotlets are the most common species of parrotlet in captivity. despite being small, they aren’t always recommended as beginner birds as they are known for being temperamental and stubborn.

despite some import for the pet trade and habitat loss, the pacific parrotlet is currently rated ‘least concern’ by the iucn.

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some detest common grackles due to their loud calls and crop raiding, but others love them due to their intelligence and the male’s vibrant iridescent plumage.

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hildebrant’s starling is a species of starling native to east africa, known for the glossy iridescent plumage found in both the male and female.

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a male violet-backed starling, native to africa, is seen with a mostly missing upper mandible.

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a blue-crowned conure dines at a birdfeeder. naturally, conures forage for fruits, berries, and native seeds, but they can become regular visitors to backyard bird feeders.

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flamingo chicks lack the pink pigmentation of their parents, and are grayish-white instead.

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the mandarin duck is a species of perching duck native to east asia. they share a genus with only the american wood duck.

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male violet-backed starlings are easy to tell apart from the female, as the female’s brown color is a far reach from the male’s shimmering iridescent purple upperside. violet-backed starlings are a small species of starling native to africa.

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though cassowaries are considered some of the most dangerous birds in the world due to their powerful legs and sharp, dagger-like claws, young cassowary chicks are very small and vulnerable to predators without their parents’ protection.

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