small bird series: in the shadows - ♂ verigated fairy-wren

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Variegated Fairy-wren
Scientific Name: Malurus lamberti
Description: The breeding male Variegated Fairy-wren is brightly coloured. The crown and sides of the head are blue, and the shoulder patch is a rich chestnut. The depth and variety of colours in the male varies among the four subspecies, distributed across the Australian mainland. Non-breeding males, females and young birds are brownish grey. Females in the Northern Territory and Western Australian populations have a blue-grey (rather than brown-grey) plumage. Variegated Fairy-wrens are highly sociable birds, living in communal, territorial groups that always consist of a dominant male and female; the rest of the group are young males and females.
Similar species: Several other species of fairy-wren are found in Australia. The males of each species are quite distinct, but the females and young birds are often difficult to separate. The female Variegated Fairy-wren has a dull grey-blue wash, while female and immature Superb Fairy-wrens, Malurus cyaneus, are mostly brown, with adult females having a pale greenish gloss on the otherwise brown tail. The Variegated Fairy-wren is slightly larger in size and has a longer tail either the Superb or the White-winged Fairy-wrens.
Distribution: The Variegated Fairy-wren is the most widespread of the nine species of fairy-wrens found in Australia. It is found throughout Australia, being absent only from Cape York Peninsula, Tasmania and the extreme south-west corner of Western Australia.
Habitat: The Variegated Fairy-wren is found in forest, woodland and shrub land habitats
Feeding: The Variegated Fairy-wren feeds on insects and a small amount of seeds. The birds feed around the base of small shrubs, and seldom stray into the open. Some food may be found among the bark and foliage of short trees and grasses.
Breeding: The male Variegated Fairy-wren is often mistakenly believed to have a harem of females. The small groups actually consist of an adult female with younger or non-breeding birds. As they have a wide range, Variegated Fairy-wrens have been recorded breeding in almost every month of the year. The nest is an oval-shaped dome, constructed of grasses, and placed in a low shrub. The female alone constructs the nest and incubates the eggs, but is assisted by other group members in feeding the chicks.
Calls: A mechanical 'triri-tirirrit-tirit-trit-tirrririt-trit-tirrit' call only in the breeding season.
Minimum Size: 12cm
Maximum Size: 14cm
Average size: 13cm
Average weight: 8g
Breeding season: Most of the year
Clutch Size: Three to four.
(Source: www.birdsinbackyards.net)

© Chris Burns 2017
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This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.

Taken in: Australia / Queensland / Brisbane / Lytton (show map)

Taken on: October 28, 2017

Tags:

Variegated Fairy-wren

Malurus lamberti

small bird

Australian bird

fauna

Australian fauna

Nikon D500

Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports

nature

wren

fairy wren

Sandy Camp Road Wetlands

Wynnum

Queensland

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Sets appears in: • Birds • Sandy Camp Road Wetlands more » • Small Bird Series « less

Groups appears in: • Australian Images • Australian Natural more » • Birds in Backyards • Australian Wildlife • Queensland • Australian Birds • *I Love Birds* • Flickr Australia • ^ Wildlife of Australia ^ • Brisbane Bird photography • My Australia • Wildlife of Brisbane • The Australian Experience • Birds Photos - Check out the new discussions! • Birding In The Wild • Brisbane Amateur Photographers • Birdshare • BirdWatching Magazine • Nikon Australia • Australian Geographic • Fairy-wrens Of Australia • Australian Nature Photographers • Flickr Bird Brigade • NIKON D500 CLUB • Birds of Australia • Photography Downunder • Queensland Photographers Australia • Nikon Nature • Sigma 150-600 • SIGMA 150-600 OS sport • Nikon D500 User Group • Nikon D500 User's Group • D500 Club « less

Camera: Nikon D500, f/7.1, 1/200 sec, 600mm (=900mm), ISO 250 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nikon D500
Lens:	150.0-600.0 mm f/5.0-6.3
Aperture:	f/7.1
Exposure Time:	0.005 sec (1/200)
Focal Length:	600mm (35mm equivalent: 900mm)
ISO:	250
Exposure Bias:	-1/3 EV
Flash:	No Flash
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Sharpness:	Hard
Color Space:	Uncalibrated
Software:	Adobe Photoshop CC (Windows)
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