The mating ritual of the bowerbird is an exercise in an architectural method of seduction, through the construction of bowers. 

Courtesy of Flickr User Will Brown, licensed under CC BY 2.0

Think your decked-out bachelor pad is the slickest on the block" Think again. That reputation now resides in the carefully constructed abode of the bowerbird, which transforms the art of building into the art of seduction. Native to Australia and New Guinea, the bowerbird dedicates months to construct elaborate woven nests, known as bowers, as a means of attracting mates in one of nature?s most unique courting rituals.

Reaching spans of up to half a meter, the bowers are thatched structures of grass and twigs, some conical in nature and lined with moss. The bowerbirds then embellish these with a variety of colourful objects, including flower petals, bottle caps, charcoal, and berries. Different birds have individual colour preferences, with some opting for vibrancy and others relying on the cool and subtle to attract the eye of prospective mates. Interestingly enough, a plainer bowerbird will create a more complex bower, while those with brighter plumage will generally opt for simpler structures.
© Ella Bleeson, https://www.instagram.com/ellabeeson/

© Ella Bleeson, https://www.instagram.com/ellabeeson/

Complimenting by the bowerbirds? impressive mimicking and tonal ranges, the bowers are inspected by f...