Red-backed Fairywren vs Splendid Fairywren

Red-backed Fairywren

Malurus melanocephalus

Tiny8 gWoodland

The smallest member of the genus Malurus, the red-backed fairywren measures 11.5 centimetres (4.5 in) and weighs 5–10 g (0.18–0.35 oz), averaging around 8 g (0.28 oz). The tail is approximately 6 centimetres (2.4 in) long and is black in the breeding male, and brown in eclipse males, females, and juvenile birds. Averaging 8.6 mm (0.3 in), the bill is relatively long, narrow, pointed, and wider at the base. Wider than it is deep, the bill is similar in shape to those of other birds that feed by probing or picking insects off of their environs. Voice: The typical song used by the red-backed fairywren to advertise its territory is similar to that of other fairywrens, namely a reel made up of an introductory note followed by repeated short segments of song, starting weak and soft and ending high and shrill with several syllables. The call is mostly made by the male during mating season.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Nevil Lazarus · CC BY 3.0

Splendid Fairywren

Malurus splendens

Tiny9 gShrubland

The splendid fairywren is a small, long-tailed bird 14 cm (5.5 in) long. Exhibiting a high degree of sexual dimorphism, the breeding male is distinctive with a bright blue forehead and ear coverts, a violet throat, and deeper rich blue back wings, chest, and tail with a black bill, eye band, and chest band. The blue breeding plumage of the male is often referred to as nuptial plumage. The non-breeding male is brown with blue in the wings and a bluish tail. The female resembles the non-breeding male but has a chestnut bill and eye-patch.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Julia Gross · CC BY 2.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Red-backed Fairywren and Splendid Fairywren.