Colorful feathered fellows are like beautiful ornaments hanging on trees' branches. When they soar and fly, they become dazzling shades gliding through the sky. Say hello to the
white-winged fairywren (
Malurus leucopterus), the flitting sapphire of the mid-air!
Source: Hayley Alexander, Whyalla, South Australia, Australia
This bird is a branch of the passerine bird in the Australasian wren family, Maluridae. It lives in the drier parts of Central Australia from central Queensland and South Australia across to Western Australia.
Source: Mat Gilfedder, Goondiwindi, Queensland, Australia
Source: Roksana and Terry, Port Augusta, South Australia, Australia
The white-winged fairywren is a small (measuring 11 to 13.5 centimeters (4.3 to 5.3 in) in length), sexual dimorphic bird with a long blue tail held cocked. Breeding males are usually brilliant sapphire blue with bright white wing patches. Females and nonbreeding males are very plain pale gray.
Source: Lachlan Read, Lake Tyrrell, Buloke, Victoria, Australia
This species is often found in very open and arid countries with sparse bushes where it perches on the very top of bushes. White-winged fairywrens live in complex social groups. Many generations gather to nest together in a particular area, and subgroups live within one territory and make up a clan.
Source: Elspeth M, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia
The brilliant blue bird is primarily insectivorous; its diet includes small beetles, bugs, moths, praying mantises, caterpillars, smaller insects, and spiders. In the spring and summer, their food sources are always within easy reach, so individuals sing and rest between forays. Their song is a very fast medium-high-pitched trill. During the winter, they have to look for insects all day.
Source: Ricky Goodyear, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia
Source: JJ Harrison, Chat Alley, Cobar, New South Wales, Australia
Breeding females begin to build their nests in the spring with or without help from their seniors (nest helpers). Their nests are possibly parasitized by cuckoos. After hatching, the nestlings gap for food immediately, and both parents look after them.
Source: Andy Gee, Oakey, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia
Source: Elspeth M, Oakey, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia
This fairywren is preyed upon by mammal
animals and other predator birds. Besides, because of its enchanting blue hue, it is in the aviculture and often trapped for merchants. Though IUCN Red List marks the white-wing fairywren as Least Concern, its population tends to decrease due to habitat loss.
Source: Hayley Alexander, Whyalla, South Australia, Australia
Source: Elspeth M, Oakey, Paroo, Queensland, Australia
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