Malurus elegans
The Red-winged Fairywren (Malurus elegans) is a strikingly dimorphic and endearing passerine endemic to the dense, wet shrublands of southwestern Western Australia. Males in breeding plumage are particularly resplendent, featuring a deep cobalt blue crown and ear-coverts, a contrasting black nape and eye-stripe, a pristine white chin and throat, and a brilliant black back that frames their defining rich chestnut shoulders and upperwing feathers, all atop a clean white belly. Females, while mo...
Found in dense, wet undergrowth, often along watercourses, swamps, and in the lower strata of karri and jarrah forests; typically at low elevations.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on a variety of invertebrates such as ants, beetles, caterpillars, and grasshoppers, gleaned from foliage and bark in the undergrowth.
Red-winged Fairywrens are active, diurnal birds, spending most of their time foraging low in dense vegetation. They live in small, territorial family groups comprising a breeding pair and 1-3 'helpers,' often male offspring from previous broods, who assist in raising subsequent broods. During cou...
The Red-winged Fairywren is strictly endemic to the extreme southwestern corner of Western Australia, where it is a year-round resident. Its distribution extends from just south of Perth, southwards along the coast to Augusta, and inland towards the Stirling Range. Key areas include the high-rain...
Least Concern
- The Red-winged Fairywren is one of only three *Malurus* species whose males develop a duller 'eclipse' plumage outside the breeding season, becoming more cryptic like the females. - These fairywrens engage in 'cooperative breeding,' where the breeding pair is assisted by 1-3 'helpers' (often ma...