A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Malurus cyaneus cyaneus
The male in breeding plumage has a striking bright blue forehead, ear coverts, mantle, and tail, with a black mask and black or dark blue throat. Non-breeding males, females and juveniles are predominantly grey-brown in colour; this gave the early impression that males were polygamous as all dull-coloured birds were taken for females. Two subspecies are recognized: the larger and darker Tasmanian form cyaneus and the smaller and paler mainland form cyanochlamys.
Dry sclerophyll bushland.
This adult male raised three clutches this season. He's shown with is a fledging from brood number two. The fledgling's tail is less than half the length of an adult's tail.
2 Comments
Aw, love it Lori!
What a great pic!!