Purple-crowned Fairy-wren

Description:

This is the first spotting on PN of the Purple-crowned Fairy-wren of either subspecies :) Female (pic 1): Blue-tinged grey crown, chestnut ear-coverts, and greenish blue tail Male (pic 2): Lilac crown, black mask, face, nape and centre spot. Cinnamon-brown back and wings. Throat and breast off-white, flanks are buff. Tail deep blue; all except central pair, tipped white.

Habitat:

This little one is flitting amongst the small trees and pandanus along the river at Mornington Sanctuary.

Notes:

The Purple-crowned Fairy-wren is endemic to Northern Australia and has two recognised subspecies. The nominate species is found in the Kimberley i.e. this spotting. The first photo is a female who just caught something to eat! The second photos is a male. My first reference for identification: The Michael Morcombe eGuide to Australian Birds, Mobile App.