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Superb fairy wren

Malurus cyaneus cyaneus

Photo by lori.tas
Published on Project Noah
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-42.5988, 147.249

Field Notes

Description:

The male in breeding plumage has a striking bright blue forehead, ear coverts, mantle, and tail, with a black mask and black or dark blue throat. Non-breeding males, females and juveniles are predominantly grey-brown in colour; this gave the early impression that males were polygamous as all dull-coloured birds were taken for females. Two subspecies are recognized: the larger and darker Tasmanian form cyaneus and the smaller and paler mainland form cyanochlamys.

Habitat:

Dry sclerophyll bushland.

Notes:

This adult male raised three clutches this season. He's shown with is a fledging from brood number two. The fledgling's tail is less than half the length of an adult's tail.

Species ID Suggestions

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Spotted for Missions

Photographed
PublishedApril 14, 2011

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