Native to eastern Australia's rainforests, the regent bowerbird (Sericulus chrysocephalus) honours the Prince Regent of the United Kingdom (later King George IV). The male bird's striking, royal colouring of jet-black and brilliant, golden-orange plumage reflects the majestic aesthetic associated with the British monarchy. It was named in the early 19th century when European naturalists were actively cataloguing Australian wildlife and assigning regal titles to impressive and colourful species. The male has a bright golden-orange and yellow head and back offset by deep black. The female is camouflaged in mottled brown and fawn markings to keep herself and her eggs safe from predators. The males construct elaborate ground structures called "bowers" out of twigs, which they decorate with shells, seeds, and even painted mixtures of charcoal and saliva, to attract females during courtship.
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