Red-backed Fairywren

Malurus melanocephalus (Latham, 1801)

Red-backed Fairywren, Malurus melanocephalus, is a passerine of the Australasian wren family found in northern and eastern Australia. It occurs along the northern and eastern coastlines, including the Kimberley and the Hunter Region in New South Wales, and is also present near rivers and coastal areas. The male in breeding plumage is notable for a black head, upperparts and tail, together with a red back and brown wings. Females are brown above with paler underparts, and males in eclipse plumage and young birds look like them. Two subspecies are recognised.

Order

Passeriformes

Family

Maluridae — Australasian Wrens

Breeding range

Australasia: n, e Australia