Red-backed Fairywren

The Red-backed Fairywren mainly eats insects, and supplements its diet with seed and small fruit. The preferred habitat is heathland and savannah, particularly where low shrubs and tall grasses provide cover. It can be nomadic in areas where there are frequent bushfires, although pairs or small groups of birds maintain and defend territories year-round in other parts of its range. Groups consist of a socially monogamous pair with one or more helper birds who assist in raising the young. These helpers are progeny that have attained sexual maturity yet remain with the family group for one or more years after fledging. The Red-backed Fairywren is sexually promiscuous, and each partner may mate with other individuals and even assist in raising the young from such pairings. Older males in breeding plumage are more likely to engage in this behaviour than are those breeding in eclipse plumage. As part of a courtship display, the male wren plucks red petals from flowers and displays them to females.

The Red-backed Fairywren is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

The Red-backed Fairywren (Malurus melanocephalus) is a species of passerine bird in the Maluridae family. It is endemic to Australia and can be found near rivers and coastal areas along the northern and eastern coastlines from the Kimberley in the northwest to the Hunter Region in New South Wales. Like other fairywrens, this species displays marked sexual dimorphism. The male adopts a striking breeding plumage, with a black head and upperparts and tail, and brightly coloured red back and brown wings. More

* Red-backed Fairywren (Malurus melanocephalus), species of bird in the Maluridae family, endemic to Australia * Red-backed Kingfisher (Todiramphus pyrrhopygia), species of bird in the Alcedinidae family, endemic to Australia * Red-backed Mousebird (Colius castanotus), species of bird in the Coliidae family * Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio), species of bird in the Laniidae family * More

Red-backed Fairywren (Malurus melanocephalus) Filmed at Rush Creek, SE Qld Aug 1997 using Canon EX1 Hi8 & Sigma 400mm lens. Red-backed Fairywren (Malurus melanocephalus) Filmed at Rush Creek, SE Qld Aug 1997 using Canon EX1 Hi8 & Sigma 400mm lens.all » Red-backed Fairywren (Malurus melanocephalus) Filmed at Rush Creek, SE Qld Aug 1997 using Canon EX1 Hi8 & Sigma 400mm lens.« Download video - iPod/PSPDownload is starting. Save file to your computer. More

For the purposes of our bird news services, Red-backed Fairywren is classed as Ungraded: species which are unlikely to appear as wild birds in Britain or Ireland hide section Most recent photos of Red-backed Fairy-wren (5) Pine Rivers Dam, Queensland, Australia Pine Rivers Dam, Queensland, Australia10/09/2009 Pine Rivers Dam, Queensland, Australia 10/09/2009 Murrumba Downs Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Murrumba Downs Brisbane, Queensland, Australia27/05/2009 Murrumba Downs Brisbane, Queensland, Australia 27/05/2009 Goovigen, Queensland, Australia More