Regent Bowerbird, photography by Dominic Sherony

Nimbin Rainbow Walk

Regent Bowerbird

gugumbal (Bundjalung name)

Sericulus chrysocephalus

Songs & Calls

Listen to the Regent Bowerbird call.

The Regent Bowerbird is a small, slim bowerbird with a long, straight slender bill. The male bird is glossy jet black with bright gold on its head, nape and wings. The male’s bill and eye are yellow. The female is brown-black, mottled brown, with light brown scallops on its back and breast. There are dark patches on the back of its head and on the lower nape. The female’s bill is dark brown to black and the eyes are yellowish-brown. The immature male is similar to the female on its underparts and to the male on its upper parts i.e. head back and wings (except the primary feathers which are brown). The male’s tail is shorter than that of the female or immature birds. Male Regent Bowerbirds’ eyes become yellow in the second year.