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Superb Fairy-wren

(Malurus cyaneus)
Alternative names: "Blue Wren", "Superb Warbler", "Blue Bonnet", "Blue Cap", "Blue Tit", "Mormon Wren", "Cocktail"
Size: 13-14 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

Superb Fairy-wrens populate only the east and south-east of the Australian continent. They are found in the Great Dividing Range south of the tropic of Capricorn and from about Brisbane, QLD, also on the east coast. In the south their range extends, via the eastern half of NSW (including the Murray River catchment), all through VIC and into the south-eastern part of SA, up to about Adelaide. They are also found on the islands across Bass Strait and in Tasmania. The mainland races are "cyanochlamys" (to the north and east of Wilson's Promontory, QLD) and "leggei" further west. Race "cyaneus" is found on Tasmania; "samueli" and "elizabethae" on the islands of Bass Strait.

Superb Fairy-wrens can be found in different habitats, e.g. in dense coastal growth and also reeds in swamps and around lakes, but (in the interior) also in open grassland in tall grass or weeds, often by roadsides. They adapt easily to the presence of humans and are also found around farms and gardens.

Sightings

Superb Fairy-wrens are a common sight in the area of Narrabri and other parts of NSW. They are often found in high grass and bushes along roadsides, but are normally furtive. Especially when fed, they can become very tame.

Photos

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Race "cyanochlamys"

Frontal view of a male Superb Fairy-wren in breeding plumage

Different posture

Close-up lateral view

Dorsal view of the same bird as above

Lateral view of a male Superb Fairy-wren on the ground

Lateral view of a male Superb Fairy-wren in breeding plumage

Lateral view of a male Superb Fairy-wren at the end of the breeding season, while moulting into its winter plumage

Male Superb Fairy-wren (cyanochlamys) preening itself

A bit of preening also strengthens the family bonds...

Frontal view of a female Superb Fairy-wren (cyanochlamys), which are much more inconspicuous than the males

Lateral view

The same bird as shown above, now with its tail high up

Lateral view of a female Superb Fairy-wren on the ground

View from behind of a female Superb Fairy-wren (cyanochlamys)

Typical posture of a female Superb Fairy-wren (cyanochlamys), with its "antenna" high above its head

Breeding information

Breeding season: Aug - Jan Eggs: 3 - 4 Incubation period: 13 - 15 days Fledging age: ca. 14 - 17 days

Nest

Type: Dome Material: Rootlets, grass stems; feather lining Height above ground: 0.2 - 1.2 m

Nest hidden in a low, dense bush, about 30 cm above ground; this photo was obtained in a garden where there are no cats

Close-up view into a nest, with two of three chicks visible (photo courtesy of R. Druce)

This nest was found at a height of about 1.2 m, in a garden where there are cats - in fact, the cats like to rest under the grevillea bush with the nest at its top!

Two of three chicks are visible in this photo; the noise of their begging must have been heard by the cats - yet they all survived

Eggs

Size: 17 x 12 mm Colour: Light cream, mid- to dark-brown specks at thick end Shape: Tapered oval

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Territorial Mobility: Sedentary Elementary unit: Family clan

Superb Fairy-wrens are amongst the tamest Australian birds. When fed, they can come and sit on people's bodies without fear.

At the end of the breeding season the α-male Superb Fairy-wrens possibly retain their black and blue colours, while other males either don't have the adult plumage yet or loose it through the winter. The photos below show how, in the process of moulting, the blue/black feathers are replaced by more greyish ones. In 2007 the breeding season started in July, at which point the males could be seen in their full splendor. In early July 2011 the first male was seen starting to mould into breeding plumage.

Near-frontal view of a moulting male Superb Fairy-wren (cyanochlamys)

The same bird as above, now seen sideways, with its head turned

Backside of a moulting male Superb Fairy-wren (cyanochlamys)

Lateral view of a young male Superb Fairy-wren in the last stage of moulting

In the end the males have a plumage as shown below.

Male Superb Fairy-wren in autumn, outside their breeding season

Although territorial, we have seen Superb Fairy-wrens share their territories with both Variegated Fairy-wrens and White-winged Fairy-wrens.

Food

It is normally difficult to see what exactly Superb Fairy-wrens feed on. Probably their mainstay are small insects. Below a photo showing a young male bird that has caught some kind of insect, making it clear that these birds are carnivorous.

Female Superb Fairy-wren with its catch