Animalia Life
Amblyornis macgregoriae
TAXONOMY
Amblyornis macgregoriae De Vis, 1890, Musgrave River, Papua
New Guinea. Seven subspecies.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
English: Macgregor’s gardenerbird, gardener bowerbird, crested
gardener bird, yellow-crested gardener; French: Jardinier de
Macgregor; German: Goldhaubengдrtner; Spanish: Capulinero
de Macgregor.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
10.2 in (26 cm); female 0.23–0.31 lb (104–140 g), male
0.22–0.32 lb (100–145 g). Brown with lighter head and underparts;
distinctive long red crest.
DISTRIBUTION
Endemic to mountains of eastern and central New Guinea;
widespread on central cordillera, west to Weyland Mountains,
Irian Jaya, and on the Adelbert Range, the Huon Peninsula, and
Mount Bosavi. Occurs mostly at 5,250–7,540 ft (1,600–2,300 m)
altitude. A. m. macgregoriae: W. Kukukuku and Herzog Range
east to western Owen Stanley Range; A. m. mayri: Weyland
Mountains, Irian Jaya, to eastern Star/western Hindenburg
Mountains; Amblyornis m. lecroyae: Mount Bosavi; A. m. kombok:
Kubor, Hagen, and Bismarck Ranges, probably west to at least
Strickland River or Hindenberg Range and east to Kraetke
Range; A. m. amati: Adelbert Mountains; A. m. germanus: Huon
Peninsula; A. m. nubicola: Simpson-Dayman massifs, eastern
Owen Stanley Range, probably west to Mount Suckling.
HABITAT
Primary tall mixed montane and Nothofagus rainforest.
BEHAVIOR
Traditional bower sites are regularly and linearly spaced along
forested ridges. The maypole bower consists of a conical tower
of sticks built about a sapling or tree fern trunk surrounded at
its base by a circular moss mat raised at its circumference into
an elevated rim. Bower may be used for 20 or more years. Decorations
include insect frass, charcoal, fungus, tree resin, mammal
dung, fruits, and leaves. Bowers maintained for nine to ten
months annually, with peak display during August through December.
Advertisement vocalizations include harsh tearing
sounds, growls, thuddings, tappings, whistles, and much vocal
mimicry including human-made sounds.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Primarily frugivorous, taking fruits from numerous trees, shrubs,
and vines. Also eats flower parts and insects.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Polygynous, with promiscuous adult males and exclusively female
nest attendance. Breeding season variable across the
species range. Typically builds bulky open cup nest in pandanus
tree crown 6.6–10 ft (2–3 m) above ground. Nest is
composed of a sparse stick foundation, a leafy cup, and an eggcup
lining of supple twiglets/rootlets. Lays a single, pale, unmarked,
buff egg. One known incubation period was over 17
days. Nestling period unknown.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened. Common and widespread throughout range.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
Papuans admire the industry/artistry of males at their bowers.
By placing a leaf on a bower mat, men and women used the
bower mat clearing
BEHAVIOR
of males to indicate to them in
which direction they might seek a spouse. Crests of adult males
may be worn as personal adornment.
Photo Gallery of - Macgregor’s bowerbird
