satin bowerbird

The satin bowerbird (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus) is a species native to southeast Australia. Adult males are a glossy violet-blue, while females are light gray-green.1

Bowerbirds, including the satin bowerbird, are known for their unique courtship rituals. Males construct elaborate structures called bowers on the ground to attract females. These bowers can be of different types, and the satin bowerbird builds an "avenue" type, characterized by two parallel walls of sticks. They also famously use a paint made from vegetable pulp, charcoal, and saliva to decorate the interior of their bowers, demonstrating a rare instance of tool use in birds. After mating, the female builds a separate nest and raises the young without the male's assistance.23