What is the name of the structure male bowerbirds build to attract mates? The structure is called a bower. Male bowerbirds construct and decorate these courtship displays so females can inspect their building skill and visual presentation.
Bower designs vary widely among the roughly 23 bowerbird species. Some males make “maypole” bowers by arranging sticks around a sapling, while others build “avenue” bowers from two upright walls of sticks. The surrounding display area may contain shells, leaves, berries, feathers, stones, flowers, or even human-made objects such as coins and plastic.
The bower is not the bird's nest. The female usually builds the nest, lays the eggs, and raises the young without the male's assistance. Females may visit several bowers and compare both the structure and the male's courtship performance before choosing a mate.
“Lek” is a related but different term: it describes a gathering or display area where males compete for female attention, not the stick structure itself. “Platform” may describe part of a bower in some species, but it is not the general name.