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Superb Fairy-wren |
Sightings
Superb Fairy-wrens are a common sight in the area of Narrabri, New South Wales. A characteristic of the Fairy-wrens is that during their breeding season the males have much more colourful plumages than the females (see photos).
Photos
Frontal view of a male Superb Fairy-wren (cyanochlamys) during the breeding season (click on image for larger version)
Lateral view of a male Superb Fairy-wren (cyanochlamys) at the end of the breeding season, while molting into its winter plumage (click on image for larger version)
Lateral view of a female Superb Fairy-wren (cyanochlamys), which are much more inconspicuous than the males (click on image for larger version)
Lateral view of a female Superb Fairy-wren (cyanochlamys); click on image for full-size display
Typical posture of a female Superb Fairy-wren (cyanochlamys), with its "antenna" high above its head; click on image for larger version
Habits
At the end of the breeding season the α male Superb Fairy-wrens 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.
Backside of a mouting male Superb Fairy-wren (cyanochlamys; click on image for larger version
In the end the males have a plumage as shown below.
We have seen Superb Fairy-wrens share their territories with both Variegated Fairy-wrens and White-winged Fairy-wrens.