Description:

The communal bowerbird (Construeravis charemi) is a bowerbird species endemic to the Great Australian Plain. This bird evolved from the modern-day satin bowerbird (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus), which built smaller structures compared to their ancestors. In the Novicene, these birds evolved to construct large nest structures. This nest-building process is expanded on in the Nest Building section of this page. Males of this species are dark blue-green, while the females are olive-green, with no other sex-based differences between males and females. Both sexes are between 25 and 35 centimeters long from head to tail, with males generally being longer, but there is a wide overlap between them. Typically, these birds live up to 30 years in the wild, but in captivity, they can live to almost 50 years old.

Distribution:

These animals inhabit the open grasslands, open woodlands, and savannas of Australia, which are characterized by extensive grasslands and mud. These environments have the materials needed to create their nests.

Diet:

These bowerbirds mainly eat fruit, but also will eat insects, seeds, and grains. Babies tend to eat more insects than adults, but still have similar diets.

Nest Building:

The nests of these birds are the most unique part about this animal. The bowerbirds build these structures out of grasses, roots, shoots, mud, and other materials. Typically, the male creates a mound made of mud, dirt, and organic detritus. This process can take over a year to complete. During this time, males often fight for the perfect space to construct these mounds. Once the male constructs the mound, he will produce a buzzing call to attract females. Once he acquires up to 10 females, the rest of the building process commences. The female will help gather sticks, branches, grasses, plants, and other building materials to build the rest of the nest. These materials help to make the nests, perching spots, and exterior of the nest. These nests provide spots for female birds to raise their young without the threat of predators, exposure, and other males. Below is a cross section of the nest inside the