Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

18/07/2009

Sir David Attenborough recalls his visit to New Guinea and Australia to film the most immodest of all creatures, the Vogelkoptf Bower Bird.

One of the most extraordinary structures in the natural world is made by a bird. It’s a Bower - a type of arena in which the male Bower Bird displays himself to attract a female.

Sir David Attenborough recalls his visit to New Guinea and Australia to film the most immodest of all Bowers, that made by the Vogelkoptf Bower Bird.

In a wigwam construction of twigs and orchid stems, based around a central maypole, this remarkable bird decorates the ends of the uprights with single pieces of caterpillar dung, and adorns a manicured lawn with colourful objects he thinks will be attractive to the female.

But why go to this length to attract a female? All is revealed….

8 minutes

Last on

Sun 19 Jul 2009 02:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sat 18 Jul 2009 10:32GMT
  • Sat 18 Jul 2009 23:32GMT
  • Sun 19 Jul 2009 02:32GMT