Australian fairy-wrens

(Maluridae)

Class Aves

Order Passeriformes

Suborder Passeri (Oscines)

Family Maluridae

Thumbnail description
Small insectivores with long cocked tails; females and young are cryptically colored but breeding-plumage males have gaudy plumage

Size
5.5–8.6in (14–22cm); 0.27–1.2oz (7.6–34.1g)

Number of genera, species
6 genera; 30 species

Habitat
Shrubbery and undergrowth in arid woodlands and forests, though some inhabit rainforests and many species thrive in suburbs, parks, and gardens

Conservation status
No species are currently Endangered but many have localized distributions threatened by habitat loss

Distribution
Found throughout Australia and New Guinea, and associated islands

Evolution and systematics

Fairy-wrens are a distinct and divergent group of passerines, characterized by long, sometimes filamentous, tails, usually with 10 retrices. They are often subdivided into two subfamilies: grasswrens (Amytornithinae) and fairy-wrens (Malurinae), although recent DNA studies are incomplete and details of relationships among species and species groups are still problematic.

Physical characteristics

Grasswrens are cryptically colored shades of tan and brown with black-and-white markings, while fairy-wrens have breeding-plumaged males with bright blues, violets, purples, and russets; some species feature cheek patches of brilliant turquoise that can be extended to form a face fan during agonistic or nuptial displays. Long, cocked tails are displayed while moving and are characteristic of this family. Emu-wrens have long, filamentous tails, and like the other fairy-wrens are dimorphic in plumage. Grasswrens are nearly monomorphic in plumage, with subtle shades distinguishing the sexes: females are usually more russet below.

Distribution

Fairy-wrens are found throughout Australia and New Guinea. Some species have very restricted ranges, while others are distributed continent-wide. Emu-wrens and grasswrens are confined to Australia, while fairy-wrens are found in New Guinea as well. The monotypic genera Sipodotus and Clytomyias are confined to New Guinea and outlying islands.

Habitat

Grasswrens tend to be birds of spinifex and porcupine grass of the arid interior, and have very limited geographic distribution, reflecting perhaps relic populations isolated by increasingly arid conditions, eventually evolving to become separate species. The emu-wrens occupy a variety of habitats, with the southern emu-wren found in swampy heath and plains thickets of southern Australian coastal belts, while the other two species occupy the arid interior. The fairy-wrens occupy a range of habitats, including tropical grasslands, wet forests and woodlands, and the semi-arid interior. Several species have adapted well to humans and grace the parks and gardens of suburbia.

Behavior

Most malurids are found in family groups and tend to be territorial and sedentary, communicating among group members with a broad spectrum of melodious calls. They are busy foragers, climbing through dense undergrowth and hopping with cocked tails across open patches of ground.

Feeding ecology and diet

Most malurids are ground foragers, gleaning and pecking a wide variety of invertebrates from bare ground, litter, grass, and logs. They glean foliage, twigs, and bark, and occasionally hawk flying insects from the air. Some species are more specialized foragers; for example, the purple-crowned fairywren (Malurus coronatus), forages largely in pandanus along the edges of tropical streams, rivers, and ponds.

Reproductive biology

Most species are cooperative breeders with surviving progeny from previous years acting as helpers at the nest, or at least having delayed dispersal. Studies indicate high adult survival rates and abundant extra-pair copulations, with resident males often fathering a minority of the offspring produced in their territory. Nests are usually domed balls of woven grass with side entrances, with clutches of two to four red-spotted, white eggs. Incubation, usually by the female, lasts 10–14 days; young are fed for four to six weeks.

Conservation status

No species are currently threatened, but overgrazing and habitat alteration for agriculture and timber production are potential threats.

Significance to humans

None known, though many consider them among the most beautiful and endearing species of birds.

Species accounts

List of Species

Southern emu-wren

Stipiturus malachurus

taxonomy

Stipiturus malachurus Shaw, 1798, Sydney and Botany Bay, New South Wales, Australia. Eight subspecies.

other common names

French: Queue-de-gaze du Sud; German: Rotstirn-Bortenschwanz; Spanish: Ratona Emu Sureña.

physical characteristics

6.2–7 in (15.7–17.8 cm); female 0.26–0.29 oz (7.4–8.3 g), male 0.19–0.32 oz (5.5–9 g). Males in breeding plumage have blue throat and breast that females, nonbreeding males, and immatures lack.

distribution

Disjunct populations along coast from western Australia to southern Queensland. S. m. malachurus: from Queensland to Victoria; S. m. littleri: confined to Tasmania and islands; S. m. polionotum: from Victoria and south Australia; S. m. intermedius, S. m. halmaturnius, S. m. parimedia: local distribution in south Australia; S. m. westernensis: in southwestern Western Australia; and S. m. hartogi: found on Dirk Hartog Island, Shark Bay, Western Australia.

habitat

Occurs in swamps, dunes, and coastal and high-altitude heathlands. Prefers low, dense vegetation.

behavior

Usually found in small groups; secretive; weak flier and difficult to flush. Social organization poorly known.

feeding ecology and diet

Feeding ecology poorly known, but thought to be largely insectivorous, gleaning invertebrates from dense vegetation and ground. Will split open stems to get at insects; occasionally hawks flying insects.

reproductive biology

Monogamous pairs hold breeding territory; female builds nest but fed by male. Clutch is 2–4 red-spotted eggs. Nest parasitized by several cuckoo species. Incubation mostly by female for 13–14 days; fledging in 11–15 days.

conservation status

Not threatened as a species but adversely affected by drainage of swamps and clearing for agriculture. Altered fire regimes also a threat.

significance to humans

None known.

Purple-crowned fairy-wren

Malurus coronatus

taxonomy

Malurus coronatus Gould, 1858, Victoria River, Northern Territory, Australia. Two subspecies..

other common names

English: Lilac-crowned wren; French: Mérion couronné German: Purpurkopf-Staffelschwanz; Spanish: Ratona Australiana de Corona Morada.

physical characteristics

5.9 in (15 cm); female 0.31–0.44 oz (8.7–12.6 g), male 0.32–0.46 oz (9.2–13 g). Male in breeding plumage distinctive with purple crown bordered in black; female mostly buffy with chestnut face patch; nonbreeding males resemble females but have a dark face patch.

distribution

Restricted tropical range. M. c. coronatus found in northeastern Australia; M. c. macgillivrayi found in northwestern Australia.

habitat

Always close to rivers, streams, or permanent pools in thick vegetation, particularly pandanus leaves and litter.

behavior

Territorial and monogamous; pairs advertise territory and reinforce pair-bond with dueting. Voice a high-pitched sequence of notes, as well as alarm and contact calls.

feeding ecology and diet

Glean mainly insects from dense vegetation along rivers or pond margins, and forage in leaf litter for worms and other invertebrates.

reproductive biology

Monogamous and probably promiscuous. Maintain territory throughout year. Nest is domed and bulky. Clutch is two or three spotted, white eggs. Female incubates for about 14 days; fledging in about 10 days.

conservation status

Not threatened but adversely affected by frequent fires and habitat loss.

significance to humans

None known.

Red-backed fairy-wren

Malurus melanocephalus

taxonomy

Malurus melanocephalus Latham, 1801, central coast of New South Wales, Australia. Two subspecies.

other common names

English: Red-backed wren; French: Mérion à dos rouge; German: Rotrücken-Staffelschwanz; Spanish: Ratona Australiana de Lomo Rojo.

physical characteristics

5.7 in (14.5 cm); female 0.18–0.35 oz (5.0–10.0 g), male 0.21–0.35 oz (6.0–10.0 g). Breeding males are black with a bright red back. Nonbreeding males, females, and young drab brownish above, buff below.

distribution

Mostly tropical and along coastal belt. M. m. cruentatus across northern Australia; M. m. melanocephalus in northeastern Australia.

habitat

Tropical swamps, samphire flats, and woodlands with extensive grassy cover on coastal plains and adjacent mountains.

behavior

Locally nomadic in nonbreeding season as preferred habitat of seasonal grass is subject to frequent fires; grazing and fires may inhibit formation of permanent territories.

feeding ecology and diet

Forage mainly by gleaning a broad spectrum of invertebrates from grass, leaves and twigs, but do take some fruit and seeds. Hop-search on open ground and hawk flying insect prey.

reproductive biology

Territorial, cooperative breeders, but social system not well-understood. Female builds oval domed grass nest. Incubation is by the female for 13–14 days; fledging in 10–11 days.

conservation status

Not threatened. Human habitat alteration may have actually increased available grassy habitat for this species.

significance to humans

None known.

Splendid fairy-wren

Malurus splendens

taxonomy

Malurus splendens Quoy and Gaimard, 1830, King George Sound, Western Australia. Four subspecies.

other common names

English: Splendid wren; French: Mérion splendide; German: Türkisstaffelschwanz; Spanish: Ratona Australiana Franjeada.

physical characteristics

5.5 in (14 cm); female 0.27–0.36 oz (7.6–10.2 g), male 0.28–0.39 oz (7.9–11.1 g). Male in breeding plumage is brilliant blue with turquoise cheek patches and crown, black breast, face, and back markings. Nonbreeding males, females, and immatures drab olive above with blue tails and wings.

distribution

Populations scattered across Australia: M. s. splendens in the west, M. s. musgravi in the interior, M. s. emmottorum in Queensland, and M. s. melanotus in the east.

habitat

Mostly drier acacia woodlands and scrublands, including mulga, mallee, and saltbrush.

behavior

Stronger fliers than most fairy-wrens, and more versatile foragers, often foraging in the canopy. A territorial, cooperative breeder, usually found in small groups that defend their territory. Voice a loud series of trills.

feeding ecology and diet

Insectivorous, mostly gleaning ants, grasshoppers, spiders, and insect larvae from the ground, litter, and foliage up to canopy height; also hop-search and pounce on prey, and may hawk flying insects.

reproductive biology

Socially monogamous, but promiscuous, with males wandering into adjacent territories and often fathering less than half of the offspring from their own territory. Clutch is two to four red-spotted, white eggs. Female incubates for about two weeks, and fledging occurs in 10–13 days.

conservation status

Not threatened but adversely affected by habitat destruction for agriculture and overgrazing.

significance to humans

None known.

Superb fairy-wren

Malurus cyaneus

taxonomy

Malurus cyaneus Ellis, 1782, Adventure Bay, Tasmania. Six sub-species.

other common names

English: Superb blue wren; French: Mérion superbe; German: Prachtstaffelschwanz; Spanish: Ratona Australiana Azul.

physical characteristics

6.3 in (16 cm); female 0.28–0.35 oz (8–10 g), male 0.30–0.37 oz (8.5–10.5 g). Male in breeding plumage has brilliant turquoise crown, cheeks, and mantle, deep blue breast; other ages and sexes drab olive above, light gray below.

distribution

Restricted to southeastern Australia, usually to within 125 mi (200 km) of coast. The six subspecies recognized are M. c. cyaneus, M. c. samueli, M. c. elizabethae, M. c. cyanochlamys, M. c. leggei, M. c. ashbyi; many restricted to single islands.

habitat

Moist sclerophyll woodlands and forest with dense understory; also rainforest, swamps, coastal areas, river courses, and suburban gardens and parks.

behavior

A cooperative breeding species, usually found in family groups of three to five birds, climbing through undergrowth and hopping across open ground, tail cocked. They are weak fliers. They maintain territories throughout the year. Calls consist of musical trills by both sexes.

feeding ecology and diet

Mainly insectivorous, eating ants, flies, weevils, grasshoppers, and insect larvae. Glean primarily ground, litter, and low foliage.

reproductive biology

Socially monogamous and sexually promiscuous, with males wandering into adjacent territories, often carrying yellow flower petals to attract females; males may father less than half of the offspring produced in their territory. Clutch is three to four red-spotted, white eggs. Female incubates for two weeks; fledging in 10–14 days.

conservation status

Not threatened but much native habitat has been converted to agriculture.

significance to humans

None known.

Variegated fairy-wren

Malurus lamberti

taxonomy

Malurus lamberti Vigors and Horsefield, 1827, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Five subspecies.

other common names

English: Variegated wren; French: Mérion de Lambert; German: Weissbauch-Staffelschwanz; Spanish: Ratona Australiana Variada.

physical characteristics

5.5 in (14 cm); female 0.21–0.35 oz (5.9–10 g), male 0.21–0.41 oz (6.0–11.5 g). Breeding male with black throat and breast, russet back, and turquoise mantle, cap, and cheeks; white-tipped blue tail. Nonbreeding males, females, and immatures with blue heads and backs, white below.

distribution

Widely distributed across Australia. M. l. assimilis found throughout Australia except for southwest, southeast, and far north; M. l. rogersi in Kimberley Division, M. l. dulcis in Arnhem Land, M. l. lamberti in coastal southern Queensland and New South Wales, and M. l. bernieri is restricted to islands off Shark Bay in Western Australia.

habitat

A broad spectrum of habitats: in shrubby vegetation from coastal thickets through arid and semi-arid acacia woodlands and scrub; also, rocky escarpments and mallee.

behavior

A weak flier that forages from ground to canopy by hopping. Group territorial defense throughout the year. Voice a fast, metallic trill.

feeding ecology and diet

Forages by gleaning on low shrubbery. Takes a broad spectrum of invertebrates including flies, caterpillars, grasshoppers, and spiders. May forage in canopy or on open ground.

reproductive biology

Monogamous cooperative breeder, but probably promiscuous. Clutch is three or four red/brown-spotted, white eggs. Female incubates for 14–16 days; fledging in 10–12 days.

conservation status

Widespread and not threatened, although adversely affected by clearing of habitat for agriculture, and by overgrazing.

significance to humans

None known.

Black grasswren

Amytornis housei

taxonomy

Amytornis housei Milligan, 1902, central Kimberleys, Western Australia.

other common names

French: Amytis noir; German: Schwarzkehl-Grasschlüpfer; Spanish: Ratona de la Hierba Negra.

physical characteristics

8.3 in (21 cm); female 0.83–0.98 oz (23.5–27.9 g), male 1.0–1.1 oz (29.0–31 g). A large, dark grasswren, with rusty back and long, broad tail.

distribution

Rare and local in the Kimberley Division of northwestern Western Australia.

habitat

Found among tumbled sandstone outcrops and gorges, in spinifex and scrub.

behavior

Poor fliers, and move about in groups by hopping among tussocks. Song is low-pitched and includes buzzing notes and trills.

feeding ecology and diet

Forage mostly on ground for invertebrates and seeds of various grasses.

reproductive biology

Breeding biology is poorly known.

conservation status

Although not threatened by IUCN criteria, it is rare and local in distribution. May be threatened by frequent fires.

significance to humans

None known.

Striated grasswren

Amytornis striatus

taxonomy

Amytornis striatus Gould, 1840, Liverpool Plains, New South Wales, Australia. Three subspecies.

other common names

French: Amytis strié; German: Streifengrasschlüpfer; Spanish: Ratona de la Hierba Rayada.

physical characteristics

5.7–6.9 in (14.5–17.5 cm); male 0.56–0.78 oz (16–22 g). Sexes similar but female has chestnut flanks.

distribution

Widely scattered populations across Australia. A. s. rowleyi is confined to a small area of central Queensland, A. s. whitei is found in Western Australia. A. s. striatus has at least four disjunct populations from New South Wales to Western Australia.

habitat

Found on spinifex-covered sandplains and rocky hills, sometimes with shrubby vegetation, of the arid interior.

behavior

Poor fliers; hop about with tail cocked over open ground, or with tail horizontal when moving through dense vegetation. They are found singly or in small family groups. Melodious song of trills and whistles.

feeding ecology and diet

Forage mostly on the ground, taking insects, particularly ants and beetles, and seeds. They have been reported eating cactus flowers, and foraging by moonlight.

reproductive biology

Breeding biology is virtually unknown for wild birds. Clutch is two or three red-spotted, white eggs. No helpers at the nest have been reported.

conservation status

Not threatened. Adversely affected by clearing for agriculture, introduced herbivores, and overgrazing, as well as predation by introduced cats and foxes, and by extensive fires.

significance to humans

None known.

Orange-crowned wren

Clytomyias insignis

taxonomy

Clytomyias insignis Sharp, 1879, Arfak Mountains, New Guinea. Two subspecies.

other common names

English: Orange-crowned fairy wren; French: Mérion à tête rousse; German: Rotkopf-Staffelschwanz; Spanish: Ratona Australiana Rufa.

physical characteristics

Female 0.42–0.49 oz (12–14 g), male 0.35–0.49 oz (10–14 g). Cock-tailed fairy-wren with orange crown, buffy orange below and orange/olive above.

distribution

Found at 6,560–9,840 ft (2,000–3,000 m) along both flanks of the central cordillera of New Guinea. C. i. insignis occurs as an isolated population in far northwestern Irian Jaya.

habitat

Mountain rainforest, usually in thickets of vine and climbing bamboo, along tracks and in small clearings made by tree fall.

behavior

Rarely flies, and moves in groups through dense foliage with tail half-cocked and partly spread. Does not join mixed-species foraging flocks. Groups remain in same area throughout year. Voice a high-pitched twitter.

feeding ecology and diet

Gleans underside of leaves for invertebrates.

reproductive biology

Breeding biology is virtually unknown.

conservation status

Not threatened but deforestation a potential threat.

significance to humans

None known.

Wallace's wren

Sipodotus wallacii

taxonomy

Sipodotus wallacii G. R. Gray, 1862, Misool Island. Two sub-species.

other common names

English: Wallace's fairy-wren; French: Mérion de Wallace; German: Rostnacken-Staffelschwanz; Spanish: Ratona Australiana de Wallace.

physical characteristics

Female 0.23–0.28 oz (6.5–8 g), male 0.25–0.30 oz (7.0–8.5 g). Sexes similar in plumage. Long-billed, short-tailed fairy-wren, white below with white-streaked black cap and russet back.

distribution

Resident, lowland rainforests of New Guinea, sometimes to more than 3,280 ft (1,000 m) elevation. S. w. wallacii in north, W. s. coronatus in center and south.

habitat

Uses trees more than undergrowth in rainforest; in canopy to 130 ft (40 m); frequents tangles of vines and climbing bamboo at forest edge.

behavior

Strong, undulating flight between trees. Found in family groups and in mixed species foraging flocks. Social organization poorly known. Does not cock its tail. Song is a series of high-pitched twittering notes.

feeding ecology and diet

Forages for insects by gleaning, probing, and hang-gleaning, mostly in foliage. Also hawks flying insects.

reproductive biology

Domed nest suspended from vines 16.5–33 ft (5–10 m) from the ground. May have helpers, but little is known of reproductive biology.

conservation status

Not threatened but deforestation a potential threat.

significance to humans

None known.

Resources

Books

Blakers, M., S. J. J. F. Davies, and P. N. Reilly. The Atlas of Australian Birds. Melbourne: Melbourne University Press, 1984.

Higgins, P. J., J. M. Peters, and W. K. Steele. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Vol. 5. Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 2001.

Rowley, I., and E. Russell. Fairy-wrens and Grasswrens (Maluridae). Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1997.

Sibley, C. G., and B. Monroe Jr. Distribution and Taxonomy of Birds of the World. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1990.

Schodde, R. The Fairy-wrens. Melbourne: Landsdowne, 1982.

William E. Davis, Jr