Red-backed Fairywren

Malurus melanocephalus

Tyto Wetland, Ingham, FNE Qld IMG_1388 20180509 - melanocephalus male in breeding plumage. CLICK for another:
Hasties Swamp NP, Atherton, FNE Qld 20221025.

Notes: Small fairywren w. no blue. Male breeding: black head, upperparts & tail; red back, brown
wings. Female: brownish upperparts, paler underparts. Male in eclipse plumage & juvenile (looks
fluffier) like female. Male breeding: nominate melanocephalus back, mantle orange-scarlet.
Ssp cruentatus back, mantle deeper crimson(?); tail shorter(?). Habitat is heathland & savannah,
particularly where low shrubs occur. Insectivorous.

Range from Morcombe & Stewart©
Davies Ck, Davies Ck NP FN Qld IMG_4308 20190830 - melanocephalus adult female. CLICK for another: Old Kaban Road,
Kaban, FN Qld 20210313. Tyto Wetlands, Ingham, FNE Qld IMG_0566 20200802 - melanocephalus adult male w. gift of petal for female. CLICK for a
pic of the lady of his attention. Tyto Wetlands, Ingham, FNE Qld IMG_1368 20180509 - melanocephalus two adult males. CLICK for two females(?):
De Moleyns Lagoon, Mirani, NE Qld 20200809. BirdsOnBarron, Mareeba, FN Qld IMG_0557 20180405 - melanocephalus immature male in front (like adult female but black
bill, some black on head developing), likely young female behind. Redcap Creek rocks, Mungana, FN Qld IMG_0312 20210506 - melanocephalus male in partial breeding plumage.
CLICK for another further towards non-breeding plumage: Morris Road, Giru, N Qld 20180510. Ranger Base, Lakefield NP, CYPAL, FNE Qld IMG_2072 20220902 - cruentatus male. CLICK for later view. Bindoola Creek, HV8, Gibb River Road, NE WA IMG_8118 20180817 - cruentatus female. CLICK for another view. Bindoola Ck, HV8, Gibb R Rd, NE WA IMG_8316 20180817 - cruentatus male. CLICK for another: Mitchell Falls Camp,
FNE WA 20180819. Ranger Base, Lakefield NP, CYPAL, FNE Qld IMG_2088 20220902 - cruentatus male Davies Ck, Davies Ck NP, FN Qld MVI_4329+4314 20190830 - melanocephalus female Archer Creek Rest Area, Millstream, FN Qld IMG_3521 20200613 - melanocephalus female collecting cobwebs for nesting.