White-winged Fairywren

The White-winged Fairywren (Malurus leucopterus) is a diminutive and charismatic passerine bird, a member of the Australasian wren family, Maluridae. Exhibiting pronounced sexual dimorphism, the males don vibrant plumage during the breeding season, while females maintain a more subdued sandy-brown coloration with light-blue tail feathers.

Identification Tips

Males in breeding plumage are unmistakable with their bright-blue bodies, contrasting white wings, and black bills. Females and non-breeding males are more cryptic, with sandy-brown plumage and a lighter bill. The species is characterized by its long, slender tail, often held upright, and a distinctive white fringe on the tail feathers.

Habitat

The White-winged Fairywren is found in heathland and arid scrubland, where low shrubs provide essential cover. It thrives in dry environments, including areas dominated by saltbush, small shrubs, tussock grass, and cane-grass.

Distribution

This species is endemic to Central Australia, ranging from central Queensland and South Australia across to Western Australia. It is replaced by the Red-backed Fairywren in the northern parts of its range.

Behaviour

White-winged Fairywrens live in cooperative breeding groups, with a socially monogamous pair and several helper birds that assist in raising the young. These groups maintain and defend territories year-round. The species is known for its hopping locomotion and the males' courtship display, which includes petal-carrying.

Song & Calls

The main call is a reel, a long song of rising and falling notes, used for territory establishment and group cohesion. Other vocalizations include a harsh trit call for alarm and contact, high-pitched peeps for distant communication, and soft gurgling sounds by nestlings during feeding.

Breeding

Breeding season sees males displaying brightly colored plumage and engaging in petal-carrying courtship behavior. Nests are dome-shaped, built by the female, and placed in dense shrubs. Clutches typically consist of 3-4 eggs, with incubation lasting about 14 days.

Similar Species

The White-winged Fairywren can be confused with other fairywren species, but its white-winged plumage in males is distinctive. Females and non-breeding males may be more challenging to differentiate but can be identified by their habitat and range.

Diet and Feeding

Primarily insectivorous, the White-winged Fairywren's diet includes beetles, bugs, moths, caterpillars, and spiders. They forage on the ground, supplementing their diet with seeds, small fruits, and leaf buds.

Conservation status

The White-winged Fairywren is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. However, island subspecies are considered vulnerable due to their restricted ranges and sensitivity to human disturbance.