The Kangaroo and Emu adorn Australia's Coat of Arms. The original Commonwealth Coat of Arms had them supporting the cross of St George. The shield was presented by King Edward the seventh in 1908. In 1912 it was modified with the cross removed and the individual coat of arms of the then six states replacing it. Aussies are a pretty laid back lot really. The fact there are actually now nine states, so three do not get we look in on the Coat of Arms, seems not to worry anyone. ACT does not even have a Coat of Arms to display.
So laid back are the Australian people, they only officially took on a national anthem and the country colors of green and gold in 1984. My bet would be that someone could not bothered doing the paperwork or maybe it was just too hot.
It is time for a revamp. As there is no official national animal, bird or plant that holds the title of national symbol, a new one can be adopted. Throw away the old and find one that embodies the fighting Aussie spirit and the natural comedic skylarking ways of your fair dinkum bloke and sheila... One animal that perfectly fits the bill is the Bowerbird.
Bowerbirds occur throughout the continent but the one that is the embodiment of the Australian is the Satin Bowerbird, Ptilonorhynchus violaceus.
The birds are of good stature; rarely walk when on the ground preferring to hop imposingly about. The plumage color of green and gold fits nicely with the national colors of the country. The male unusually, when five years old begins a transformation in the colors of its feathers turning a deep and very majestic blue black, completing the process by seven.. Much like the Australian; preferring to vote with their head rather than the heart as they mature.
The bowerbird has one remarkable difference to other birds. The Satin Bowerbird and others in the grouping are the only birds to build two nests. The female builds the family home which unfortunately she operates as a solo mother. The male builds his own nest or bower. This is really his hideout, his bachelor pad, his Playboy mansion. It is here he lures females with his charm and wit, seduces them and casts them away.
But how can a poor defenseless female be caught by such an uncaring beast? The male tends his bower well. The sticks are arranged to afford a low ceiling height such that the male cannot overpower his lady friend, she must willingly succumb to his charm. She would feel safe popping in for a chat and a flirt.
The male bowerbird adorns his bower with all manner of blue items. Near civilization this can be blue pegs, bottle tops, any blue tidbit of plastic although away from there it will be flowers, snail shells, blue feather and the like. This wonderful chap then vomits all over the walls. A vomit of vegetable matter and saliva. Sounding familiar now to the real life Aussie male? Ever been to a flat in Earls Court, London?
Being a giving fellow, he will present his prize article to his prospective girlfriend. If impressed by the cut of his wing, the design and architecture of his dwelling, she may take up his offer. However, once sated, he kicks her out, tidies himself up, slicks back his feathers and begins his courtship on another unsuspecting lass. The cad, the likable rogue.
The immature males and females get on and travel around together. They can be seen in flocks of forty to sixty birds. But like that many Aussies in one place at any one time, the noise can be overpowering and the damage to the environs quite disturbing. Oh they don't mean to but they will chew your lettuces, peas, beans, cabbage, wong bok, anything remotely tasty, to the ground and then leave their litter everywhere. The older male maintains his aloofness, preferring his own company when not hatching plans of debauchery.
Whatever the bowerbird is doing though, he is doing something right as the species is listed as common. Maybe they are better off without the old man hanging around any way. As a national symbol, the bowerbird fittingly symbolizes the new Australia. On special occasions when pomp and circumstance would demand, his regal blue regalia would do the country proud. The oratory is legendary, never short of a whistle, chur, grind or wheezy buzz. And you can't help but like them.
