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Project Noah Nature School
Malurus cyaneus (mainland form)
Small territorial wren, tail usually held in upright position; male colour - white belly, black chest, back, tail, head black short beak with tiny whiskers, with brilliant pale and deep blue/purple cap, large under eye patches and broad neck band, female - light brown all over, with lighter belly, russet orange beak. Call is high trilling and chattering. Insect eater.
Found throughout eastern Australia in woodland, forests, parks and gardens, wherever there is enough low bush cover - it ventures from this cover to forage on open areas as well. This pair's home range included bushland and gardens in the area.
Spotted on Apr 17, 2013
Submitted on Dec 17, 2013
8 Comments
Thanks tomato.glasgow.
No need for envy Neil, your pics are just as good! There's a couple of other wrens in the collection too. They are super fast but also very territorial and inquisitive, so park yourself close to them and they will come to you - eventually! Still need to use the long lens.
I love these little guys. A decent photo has always eluded me because they are just way-to-fast. It would have to be asleep for me to get a shot like this. Envy lol. This is a great photo :-)
One of my favourite's too ZoologistAnge. I would love to get photos of all the wren species, but some I have not seen since I worked out west on threatened species programs. They all seem to be much easier to locate when it's breeding season - trying to be noticed.
ChunX - they have that look of 'superb' about them don't they.
These are one of my favourite birds!
I was gonna comment "Superb!" on this spotting then I realized it is also called superb :D
Breeding season, so the males' plumage brightens up immensely.
Bright plumage!