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Malarus coronatus
Largest of the Australian fairy wrens (14-15 cm). A cinnamon-brown back with pale breast and belly, the males have a black face, lores and nape with a brilliant purple crown and a small black central crown spot when breeding. Females lack the mask and crown and have a grey crown with a small chestnut brown cheek patch. Both sexes have a long blue tail.
Specialist habitat of thick cane grass and pandanus areas along river and stream banks. Strictly a riparian species. This pair found near Timber creek in the Northern Territory of Australia.
Although found in quite restricted habitat, these birds are reasonably common. Usually found in pairs or small family parties, this species is unusual in the fact that it is monogamous unlike most others in this family.
Spotted on Aug 14, 2018
Submitted on Sep 14, 2018
10 Comments
Thank you Liana and Tukup for your comments and support. I loved watching these guys.
Fantastic series Triggs. Thanks and congratulations on SOTD.
These little critters are just beautiful. Thank you for sharing Rob :)
Thank you Daniele and PN for the sotd. I am honoured.
Felicitaciones por el SOTD
Congratulations Rob, your Purple-crowned Fairy Wren is our Spotting of the Day:
"That is one perky blue tail on this Purple-crowned Fairy Wren (Malarus coronatus), our Spotting of the Day! The Purple-crowned Fairy Wren is endemic to northern Australia, and inhabits dense river-fringing vegetation. Its distribution is patchy due to population decline in parts of its range. Males have a black face, lores and nape, as well as a brilliant purple crown with a black central crown spot when breeding as seen here. For more information and images of the female, check out the spotting!
For local conservation information: https://buff.ly/2D8fRJx "
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Thanks Rach. Early morning light on these guys was brilliant.
Beautiful images. Such bright yet subtle flashes of colours.
Thank you for the nomination Ashley.
Your spotting has been nominated for the Spotting of the Week. The winner will be chosen by the Project Noah Rangers based on a combination of factors including: uniqueness of the shot, status of the organism (for example, rare or endangered), quality of the information provided in the habitat and description sections. There is a subjective element, of course; the spotting with the highest number of Ranger votes is chosen. Congratulations on being nominated!