Here's first photographic evidence of a fledgling Satin Bower Bird in the Forest Gallery, following the discovery of an apparently hatched eggshell collected by the male in his bower some three weeks ago (see Dec 2 story below).

Baby Satin Bower Bird Photo: Jessie Sinclair Source: Museum Victoria

Many people look at the bower for which the species is named and call it a nest.  In fact it is a means by which the male attracts females for purposes of mating.  Neither the male nor his bower play any further part in breeding.  Once she has selected a mate and mated, the female constructs a nest in a tree or tree fern and lays the eggs, incubates and raises the young alone.  Observant visitors should be able to spot the green female collecting food and carrying it back to the youngster- who by now will be moving about the understorey.  This is the third season Melbourne Museum has bred Satin Bower Birds.

Honeybees back on display

A new hive of honeybees is now installed in the display hive for the Science & Life Gallery's reopening on Boxing Day.  It is possible to see all the activity of the hive including the coloured pollens collected in various cells, bee larvae and honey stores.

Bee larvae, honey and pollen cells Photo: Alan Henderson Source: Museum Victoria