The fawn-breasted bowerbird is a medium-sized, up to 32 cm (13 in) long, bowerbird with a greyish brown spotted white plumage, a black bill, dark brown iris, yellow mouth and an orange buff below. Both sexes are similar. The female is slightly smaller than the male.
Region
New Guinea and Aru Islands
Typical Environment
Occurs in the lowlands of southern New Guinea (Papua New Guinea and Indonesian Papua) and the Aru Islands. It favors tropical lowland and monsoon forests, gallery forest, woodland edges, and secondary growth. Often found near clearings, riverine margins, and village gardens where fruiting trees are common. Bowers are typically placed in shaded, dry spots beneath shrubs or thickets with a ready supply of decorations.
Altitude Range
0–800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Males build an avenue-type bower on the ground, decorating it with leaves, fruits, shells, and other pale or green objects to attract females. Displays feature exaggerated postures and gaping that shows the yellow mouth lining, often accompanied by mimicry of other birds. This species tolerates disturbed habitats and will forage around gardens and forest edges. Like other bowerbirds, males provide no parental care after mating.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Males maintain individual bowers and defend small display territories, courting multiple visiting females. Females choose mates based on bower quality and displays, then nest alone in a cup nest placed in shrubs or trees. The species is polygynous, and males do not assist with incubation or chick rearing.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Varied repertoire of harsh churring notes, whistles, and mechanical-sounding calls. Males frequently incorporate mimicry of other birds and environmental sounds during courtship displays.
Plumage
Greyish-brown above with fine white spotting and mottling; underparts warm fawn to orange-buff, giving the species its name. Bill black, iris dark brown; legs dark. Both sexes look similar, though females are slightly smaller.
Diet
Primarily eats fruits and berries, including figs and drupes, supplemented with insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, and caterpillars. Will also take seeds and occasionally small invertebrates gleaned from foliage or the ground. Diet varies seasonally with fruit availability.
Preferred Environment
Forages at forest edges, in secondary growth, riverine corridors, and village gardens with fruiting trees. Feeds from the mid-canopy down to the ground, often moving methodically between fruiting shrubs and trees.
