Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Variegated Fairywren (Malurus lamberti), male
Variegated Fairywren, Male

Variegated Fairywren

Malurus lamberti

The Variegated Fairywren (Malurus lamberti) is a small, vibrant bird that graces the eastern Australian landscape. Exhibiting sexual dimorphism, the male in breeding plumage is a spectacle of chestnut and azure, with a crown and ear coverts that catch the eye. Outside of the breeding season, as well as in females and juveniles, the plumage is a more subdued grey-brown, with some females displaying a blue-grey coloration.

Identification Tips

Males in breeding plumage can be identified by their bright blue ear coverts, darker blue crown, black throat, and nape, with chestnut shoulders and a bluish-grey tail. Females and non-breeding males are predominantly grey-brown. Males have a black bill and lores, while females sport a red-brown bill and rufous lores. Juvenile males will develop black bills by six months and gradually molt into their breeding plumage.

Habitat

The Variegated Fairywren favors scrubby vegetation, often seeking the dense cover provided by such environments. They have been known to utilize mammal burrows for shelter during extreme heat.

Distribution

This species is endemic to eastern Australia, where it can be found in suitable habitats east of the Great Dividing Range.

Behaviour

These fairywrens are cooperative breeders, living in small groups that defend territories year-round. They are active feeders, hopping and bouncing with a jaunty air, and are known for their courtship display involving the presentation of yellow petals.

Song & Calls

The Variegated Fairywren communicates with a high-pitched reel of short elements, a soft tsst or seeee for contact, and a sharp tsit as an alarm call.

Breeding

Breeding takes place from spring to late summer. Nests are domed structures made from grass and spider webs, often with multiple broods per season. Eggs are matte white with reddish-brown markings.

Similar Species

The Variegated Fairywren can be confused with other fairywrens, particularly the Superb Fairywren, but can be distinguished by its unique coloration and habitat preferences.

Diet and Feeding

Primarily insectivorous, these birds forage for ants, grasshoppers, bugs, and various larvae, mostly within dense shrubbery.

Conservation status

The IUCN lists the Variegated Fairywren as Least Concern, indicating a stable population without significant threats to its survival.

Cultural depictions

This fairywren has been featured on an Australian postage stamp, highlighting its cultural significance and charm.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Variegated Fairywrens on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More Australasian Wrens

Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
David C
Very knowledgeable group
Nice friendly birding community. Very knowledgeable group with a willingness to help.
778
Great bird recording
For a while I’ve been trying to find an app to easily record bird lists and day out and struggled to find one that I like. Birda is great for this, straightforward and a great community!
Alice J
Awesome Birding Community
I absolutely love the community aspect of this app. The app is so user friendly and has fun interactive challenges to get you out birding. I’ve tried others but since I’ve started using Birda I’ve not gone back!
Birdafan
Ideal Birdwatch Companion
Simply adds to the enjoyment of my birdwatching and helps me record what I’ve seen.
Patricia L
Very encouraging birding app
Easy to use, fun to see progress and encouraging to receive feedback from other users.
Safira V
Birding and wellbeing app
Birda is an excellent platform to share your love of Birding and is a great tool of encouragement for a Birding Beginner like me. Birda has a very kind and supportive community of Birding enthusiasts. For me BIRDA is not only a BIRDING but also a WELLBEING App.
Dunners12345
Great App
Great app to use for logging and communicating with others who are interested in birds
Carrie
Makes you want to spot birds more
I think this app is fun. It makes you want to spot birds more so I guess in a way it encourages you to get out and about instead of sitting in front of the TV.
EandB17
Terrific App for Birders
Downloaded Birda around the time my interest in birding was sparked, and it has been a terrific app to help me (1) share my experience, (2) document my sightings, and (3) learn more about birds in general. That said, I also believe Birda is a fantastic app for birders of all experience levels. Great community!
Trevarthen1
Birda fan
I really enjoy using Birda, all sightings are recorded and photos can be added. There are monthly challenges which help to get you out to record your sightings. The Birda community are great and are happy to help with unidentified bird sightings. Suitable for all ages and experience!
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright ÂĐ 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.