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==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
+ | [[File:Red-backed_Fairywren_Female_KD.jpg |thumb|350px|right|Female<br />Photo © by {{user|Ken+Doy|Ken Doy}}<br />Brisbane, [[Queensland]], [[Australia]], 24 January 2021]] | ||
[[Australia]]. The scarlet-backed form can be found in the eastern coastal areas from the middle of Queensland south to central New South Wales. The crimson-backed form are from northern Western Australia through the coastal areas of the Northern Territory to North Queensland. | [[Australia]]. The scarlet-backed form can be found in the eastern coastal areas from the middle of Queensland south to central New South Wales. The crimson-backed form are from northern Western Australia through the coastal areas of the Northern Territory to North Queensland. | ||
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==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
====Subspecies==== | ====Subspecies==== |
Revision as of 19:02, 30 January 2021
- Malurus melanocephalus
Identification
10–12·5 cm (4-5 in). One of the smallest fairy-wrens.
The male is black with a bright red back and dusky primaries
The female is a very plain light brown, with a brown bill.
Distribution
Australia. The scarlet-backed form can be found in the eastern coastal areas from the middle of Queensland south to central New South Wales. The crimson-backed form are from northern Western Australia through the coastal areas of the Northern Territory to North Queensland.
Taxonomy
Subspecies
There are 2 subspecies[1]:
- M. m. cruentatus: Crimson-backed
- North Australia (northern Western Australia to Cape York Peninsula)
- M. m. melanocephalus: Scarlet-backed
- East Australia (Burdekin River, Queensland to Hunter River, New South Wales)
Habitat
Tropical and sub-tropical woodlands, near water.
Behaviour
Diet
Their diet consists mostly of insects, particularly ants, beetles, cockroaches, caterpillars and grasshoppers.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2016. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2016, with updates to August 2016. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved January 2017)
- The Slater Field Guide to Australian Birds
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Red-backed Fairywren. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 17 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Red-backed_Fairywren