not quite what snap rapped about in 1990 but we can safely assume the only reason for this unfortunate slip-up was that they were unaware of the great bowerbird (scientifically known as chlamydera nuchalis).
bowerbirds are quintessentially australian: their lives revolve around their bower, which they spend practically all their time building, maintaining, improving and defending. sounds exactly like the australian dream (of owning one’s own home) to me.
naturally only males with a quality bower can attract a female. what is even worse is that the bower does not really serve much of a purpose: it’s sort of a wedding chapel / honeymoon suite. once the marriage is … um … consummated, the girls buzz of (a bit like britney spears after her first marriage) to their own nest and rear the young alone.
the great bowerbirds are actually mostly plain brown and have a ‘song’ that sounds like a chainsaw. but the males have a bright pink spot at the back of their neck which is only visible when they want to impress a girl. we were apparently very lucky to see that happen.
the bower was built on prime real estate at the wangi falls camp, right next to the entrance.