The Superb Fairywren

The Superb Fairy Wren is found in South eastern Australia and can be easily spotted up and down the coast, spanning from just north of Brisbane, all the way around to Adelaide and beyond. While most common on the coast and within about a 3hr drive inland, they are still reasonably prevalent through most of NSW and all of Victoria.

Sing, Sing, Sing - Superb Fairy Wren. This little guy was singing his little heart out whilst perched in the reeds at the Tamar Island Wetlands, Launceston Tasmania.

They are generally in family groups. The dominant male of the group will retain its breeding colours (see above image), througout the year, whilst the other males including immature males, will have their eclipse (non-breeding) colours during non-breeding times. Below is a pair of males in eclipse colours

Chillin. These two males in eclipse colours were happily playing in the Autumn flowering shrubs at Brightling Park Farm near Bathurst, NSW

The females are similar to the eclipse male colours, except they have a brown tail rather than the blue one and they have a distinctive reddish coloured eye ring. Below is a female Superb Fairywren standing strong in the coastal scrub with its male counterpart in the background

Strong - A female Superb Fairywren standing tall on the coastal scrub behind South Maroubra Beach, NSW

The Superb Fairywren feeds on small insects and spiders. Occasionally they will eat small fruits/berries from the local Flora. Below is a male Superb Fairywren feeding on what looks like a grasshopper or cricket of some sort.

Breakfast - Superb Fairywren feeding on a small grasshopper or cricket along the Malabar Headland Walk, Sydney, NSW

I hope you've enjoyed this brief overview of the Superb Fairywren. Stay tuned for the next blog post and enjoy your day and remember if you like something you see and want to purchase a print don't hesitate to head to the Gallery!

Barra Images Photographic Gallery

James

Here are some other shots of the Superb Faiywren.

Ready, Set.... Superb Fairywren getting ready to takeoff

What's under here? Superb Fairywren preening its wing