The regent bowerbird is a medium-sized, up to 25 cm long, sexually dimorphic bowerbird. The male bird is black with a golden orange-yellow crown, mantle and black-tipped wing feathers. It has yellow bill, black feet and yellow iris. The female is a brown bird with whitish or fawn markings, grey bill, black feet and crown. The name commemorates a prince regent of the United Kingdom.
Region
Eastern Australia
Typical Environment
Found in subtropical and temperate rainforests and adjacent wet sclerophyll forests from southeastern Queensland to northeastern New South Wales. They favor dense canopy and mid-story but also use forest edges, gullies, and riparian strips. Males place bowers in shaded leaf-litter understory with nearby open space for courtship. Outside breeding, they may venture into secondary growth and orchards to exploit fruiting trees. Habitat quality is strongly tied to the availability of seasonal fruits and safe understory sites.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Males build avenue-style bowers on the forest floor and decorate them with leaves, berries, and other bright objects. Regent bowerbirds are noted for ‘painting’ their bowers with chewed plant juices or charcoal applied with a leaf held like a brush—one of the clearest examples of tool use in birds. Females alone construct the nest and rear the young. The species name references the male’s golden ‘crowned’ head.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Males maintain and defend a decorated avenue bower used exclusively for display; they court multiple females. Females choose mates at the bower, then depart to build a cup nest and raise the brood alone. Outside the breeding season small loose foraging groups may form around fruiting trees. Courtship involves ritual postures, wing flicks, and vocal mimicry near the bower.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
A varied repertoire of clear whistles, chattering notes, and harsh buzzes, often delivered from a concealed perch. Males frequently incorporate mimicry of other birds and environmental sounds during displays.
