Last week we learned about the God-given ability of bowerbirds to build dome-shaped playhouses, or bowers. But other types of bowers are made by other species of bowerbirds. For instance, the one called the golden finds a dead stalk out in the open that is six or seven feet high. To its sides he adds twigs and sticks decorated with colored objects. No walkways (runs) are involved, but he may add shorter towers close by, carefully clearing the ground around all of them.
The MacGregor also makes his bower around an upright stick, but his is more elaborate than the golden’s. He adds a patio at the base enclosed by a circle of pebbles in which he displays additional bright items. Another species, the gardener, builds a cone-shaped playhouse with a moss-covered court on which he places flowers and fruits, which he replaces daily.
Another species, the golden-crested, finds a tree fern with its nice umbrella top. He interlaces sticks several feet high around this fern, forming a fence. Attractive objects are attached to its whole length, and a patio goes with this model as well. On it he usually places three neat mounds of fruit, each pile a different color.
Why do the bowerbirds build these strange playhouses? For one purpose only—each wants to show his work of art to a female bird, hoping she will be attracted to it and agree to be his mate. So, having completed his project, he flies to a nearby limb and pours forth song after song, hoping a curious female will come to investigate. When one does come he becomes greatly excited, flies to the ground, perhaps picking up a berry and offering it to her. Then to attract her to the bower, he struts proudly through the run or around the patio, wings outstretched to show off his bright colors. Outside the run he hops around and sometimes jumps clear over his bower to impress her. But, in spite of this display, if she isn’t charmed she flies away, and he returns to the tree limb to invite another female. Strangely, when the builder has finally attracted a mate, they both abandon the playhouse and build a nest elsewhere to raise their family.
How great a variety of birds there is! Each one displays the wonderful creation of God. The Bible says of His creation, “Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 4:1111Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11). As we view any part of His creation, it is plain that it is only He alone who could produce these many wonders, and that not one of them “evolved” over millions of years. At His word all were instantly created and given ability to “bring forth after its kind.” Thus the bower birds today are the same as the ones the Lord God placed on the earth many centuries ago. God’s Word, the Bible, is true; do not listen to the false teachings of others.
ML-10/23/1983