White-Winged fairy Wren (Blue & White Form, Male)

Description:

Not the best of photos but shows the beauty of this little bird. The males are always more wary and difficult to get close to, similar with many fairy wren species. A delicate bird of about 13cm including a long narrow tail often held high, females are dull brown shades with hint of blue on tail, males (this photo) are stunning shade of blue with pure white wings. Feeds on insects, grubs, caterpillars. Call is a repetitive trilling sound or ratchet sound. This species is the Race leuconotus, the other Race M. leucopterus is completely black with pure white wings and is found in isolated small areas off Western Australia with occasional birds found on the mainland. The whole family group can disappear incredibly fast into surrounding shrub and spinifex vegetation when alarmed.

Habitat:

Found throughout much of the arid interior and west of Australia. This one in desert region of north east South Australia.

Notes:

Hope to one day get a much better photo, but just to finally see them in the wild was a highlight.