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Malurus melanocephalus cruentatus
The Red-backed Fairy-wren is the smallest of Australia’s fairy-wrens.This subspecies is the smallest. This is a scruffy looking male in transition to eclipse plumage or non-breeding plumage. Like most other fairy-wrens, when in non-breeding plumage they are brown above and off white below. Usually, males are glossy black with a striking red patch on the back and rump. The subspecies M. m. cruentatus have a brighter crimson patch and a shorter tail.
Hanging about at the waste water wetlands.
Please check out this little video of this beautiful, scruffy little Fairy-wren: https://youtu.be/1tRaMowy-8I I caught this little guy as he was in the middle of calling (see pic 1). These little birds are endemic to Australia. Further reference: The Michael Morcombe eGuide to Australian Birds, Mobile App.
10 Comments
Thanks heaps Antonio!!! And you're very welcome :) Liana
Great capture Armadeus 4,congrats on the very well deserved SOTD and thanks for sharing
Thank you for choosing this little guy as SOTD!!! I love having a forum with which to share as much about the Kimberley region as possible!!!
Congratulations Liana! This little guy is our Spotting of the Day! Thanks for your ongoing efforts in documenting the wildlife of the Kimberleys and for your excellent notes.
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So true! When I saw this little guy from a distance, there was a male in full plumage as well. I had wondered (hoped) that I might have been witnessing a turf war between a Red-backed Fairy-wren and a Variegated Fairy-wren (Malurus lamberti rogersi) as can both be found around these waste water wetlands. However, after some photos I realised it was a male in transition :D
that's what i found fascinating about birding,the alternate plumages thru the year.sometimes one can fail to recognize the bird!
Cheers again Hema! So scruffy ha ha
too cute!
He is very cute! Cheers Felix!
Beauty!