Superb Fairywren

Malurus cyaneus (Ellis, 1782)

Superb Fairywren, Malurus cyaneus, is a passerine of the Maluridae family that breeds in south-eastern Australia and Tasmania. It is a familiar bird of dense cover in grassland, woodland, heath, forest and gardens, and it has also settled well in towns and cities. The species is known for strong differences between the sexes. Breeding males show bright blue on the forehead, ear coverts, mantle and tail, with a black face mask and dark throat, while females, juveniles and non-breeding males are mainly grey-brown. It is socially monogamous and sexually promiscuous, and males present yellow petals in courtship.

Order

Passeriformes

Family

Maluridae — Australasian Wrens

Breeding range

Australasia: se Australia and Tasmania