Home range sizes and bower visitation patterns of immature male Satin Bowerbirds (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus)

Abstract

Adult male Satin Bowerbirds build and decorate stick bowers to which they attract females for matings; females choose among males based on these complex bowers, decorations placed at these bowers, and displays consisting of vocalisations and posturing. Male Satin Bowerbirds undergo an extended period of delayed morphological maturation during which they retain female-like plumage and are assumed to learn adult male behavioural traits. Little is known, however, of how immature males acquire the ability to display and build and decorate bowers, except that they observe the displays of adult males at adults' bowers, and practise their own displays at both adults' and 'practice' bowers. We present data on the home ranges and movement patterns of six immature males, acquired through radio-tracking at the Bunya Mountains in south-east Queensland. Home-range size averaged 13.67 ± 3.38 ha and immature males visited only some of the bowers located in their home ranges. On average, they visited 2.33 ± 0.52 adults' bowers and 4.00 ± 2.00 practice bowers.