©Tom Tarrant: Male Lovely Fairy-wren (Malurus (Malurus) amabilis), Portland Roads, Cape York, North Queensland, Australia
Colours
Distinguishing features
The males adopt a highly visible breeding plumage of brilliant iridescent blue and chestnut contrasting with black and grey-brown. The brightly coloured crown and ear tufts are prominently featured in breeding displays.
The male in breeding plumage has striking azure blue ear coverts, crown and upper back, a black throat and nape, chestnut shoulders and a white-tipped blue tail. The wings are black and the belly white.
Non-breeding males are more variable and resemble the female or have a more grey-brown plumage. The female has smoky blue upperparts and tail, with turquoise ear tufts, and dark grey wings, and white below.
Both sexes have black bills, brown eyes and flesh-grey feet.
Immature birds resemble females but have brown bills. (Wikipedia)
Size
- From 12 cm to 13 cm (Length of specimen)
Wingspan
- Wingspan data is not yet available.
Synonyms
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Distribution and habitat preferences
It is endemic to Australia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. (Wikipedia)
