This species is the largest of the world's bowerbirds. An open-billed pose is part of their courtship display, but the top photo is of the bird just singing loudly. Their cacophonous song includes much mimicry. Bowerbirds are in the family Ptilonorhynchidae in which the male usually builds a more-or-less elaborate bower, separate from the nest, to attract females. Bowerbirds have been divided into groups depending on the type of bower they build. Great Bowerbird is one of the "avenue-builders" which create a pathway with twigs inserted vertically into the ground on either side. They usually include brightly colored objects around the bower to attract females. Other types, include the "maypole-building" bowerbirds of New Guinea which build larger, more elaborate structures, and the Catbirds which do not build a bower at all. This Queensland race is slightly smaller, darker and has more contrasting upperpart patterning compared to nominate.
Nikon P510 Coolpix Point & Shoot