Plants and Animals Index

Superb Fairy Wren

Scientific name                 

Malurus cyaneus

Other common names

Blue Wren

Description

The Superb Fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus) is the best known of all fairy-wrens and they are often called blue wrens.  They are native to Australia and are found nowhere else in the world.  The Superb Fairy-wren is not closely related to the wrens which live in the northern hemisphere.

The Superb Fairy-wren is commonly called the blue wren because of the male's rich blue and black colouring.  During the breeding season the adult male have blue and black plumage on their neck, back and wings.  They have a brilliant turquoise crown, cheeks, and mantle, and a deep blue breast.  Their belly is a grey-white and their bill is black.  The males from further inland and in the south-west of their range have more blue on the back and underparts.  When it is not the breeding season the males moult into a brown colour, this is similar to the colour of the females but the males retain their blue tails.

Females and young birds are mostly brown above with a dull red-orange area around their eye and a chestnut-coloured beak.  The females have a pale greenish gloss on their otherwise brown tails.  In the young birds the tail is a plain brown colour.

Both the male and female birds have brown legs. Superb Fairy-wrens are between 13cm to 16cm long with the average being around 14cm.  The female birds weigh between 8gm and 10gm, while males weigh 8.5gm to 10.5gm.

The call of the Superb Fairy-wren, both males and females, is a series of high pitched trills.  The male often extends these trills into song.

Superb Fairy-wrens are weak fliers.

Habitat

Superb Fairy-wrens are found south of the Tropic of Capricorn through eastern Australia and Tasmania to the south-eastern corner of South Australia.  They usually live within 200 kilometres of the coast. 

In this range they are seen in almost any area that has at least a small amount of dense undergrowth.  They shelter in this use this undergrowth which includes grasslands with scattered shrubs, moderately thick forest, woodland, heaths, and domestic gardens.

Behaviour

The Superb Fairy-wren is an active and restless feeder, particularly on open ground near shelter, but also through the lower foliage.  They move through this habitat with a series of jaunty hops and bounces.

Superb Fairy-wrens eat insects and other small invertebrates.  These are caught mostly on the ground although the birds may also find them in low bushes.  Their diet is supplemented by small quantities of seeds, flowers, and fruit.  The Superb Fairy-wren feeds in small social groups.

The breeding season of the Superb Fairy-wren is from July to March, peaking around September to January. 

The Superb Fairy-wren's nest is a dome-shaped structure of grasses and other fine material.  It is constructed by the female.  She usually builds the nest in a low bush.

The eggs are white with red spots and the female usually lays three to four eggs.  Incubation of the eggs takes about two weeks. It takes another 10 to 14 days for the young to be able to leave the nest.  The female incubates the eggs alone, but both sexes feed the young.  The Superb Fairy-wren is cooperative breeding species, usually found in family groups of three to five birds.  The young of previous years, particularly the males, remain in their parents' territory and contribute to the care of their new siblings. 

Superb Fairy-wren males defend a territory of ranging in size from half a hectare to two hectares.  They maintain these territories throughout the year. 

Notes

Fairy-wrens have been described as 'the least faithful birds in the world' because DNA studies have revealed that more than three quarters of the young within a 'family' group are sired by males from outside the group.  Females prefer 'high-quality' males, and therefore only 4% of the males in an area sire 50 % of the offspring.

References/Sources

Higgins, P.J., Peter, J.M.  and Steele, W.K.  (Eds.).  2001.  Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds, Volume 5 (Tyrant-flycatchers to Chats).  Oxford University Press, Victoria.

Pizzey, G.  & Knight, F.  1997.  Field Guide to the Birds of Australia.  Angus and Robertson, Sydney.

Schodde, R.  & Tidemann, S.C.  (eds) 1990.  Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds (2nd Edition).  Reader's Digest (Australia) Pty Ltd, Sydney.

Serventy, V.N.  (ed) 1982.  The Wrens & Warblers of Australia.  Angus and Robertson and the Australian Photographic Index of Australian Wildlife, Sydney.

Website: Superb Fairy-wren, Australian Musuem and Birds in Backyards