BirdUp · Species
Red-backed Fairywren
Malurus melanocephalus(Latham, 1801)
Updated
At a glance
The Red-backed Fairywren is a tiny bird, about 9–13 cm long, endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.
- Size
- 9–13 cm
- Origin
- Endemic
- Best seen
- Year-round
- Commonness
- Endemic
01 · Identification
How to tell it apart
What does a Red-backed Fairywren look like?
The Red-backed Fairywren is a tiny bird, about 9–13 cm long and weighing 5–12 g.
The red-backed fairywren is a species of passerine bird in the Australasian wren family, Maluridae. It is endemic to Australia and can be found near rivers and coastal areas along the northern and eastern coastlines from the Kimberley in the northwest to the Hunter Region in New South Wales. The male adopts a striking breeding plumage, with a black head, upperparts and tail, and a brightly coloured red back and brown wings. The female has brownish upperparts and paler underparts. The male in eclipse plumage and the juvenile resemble the female. Some males remain in non-breeding plumage while breeding. Two subspecies are recognised; the nominate M. m. melanocephalus of eastern Australia has a longer tail and orange back, and the short-tailed M. m. cruentatus from northern Australia has a redder back.
Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
03 · When
When to look
When can you see a Red-backed Fairywren?
The Red-backed Fairywren is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
04 · Voice
What it sounds like
Call
Martin Rady · Noosa Bal, AU-QL, AU
Call
Martin Rady · Noosa Bal, AU-QL, AU
Call
James H · Somerset-Wivenhoe Dams Nature Refuge, Lake Wivenhoe, QLD, AU
05 · Behaviour
Habits and haunts
What does a Red-backed Fairywren eat?
The Red-backed Fairywren feeds on terrestrial invertebrates, usually foraging in pairs or flocks.
06 · Gallery
Plumage up close
5 photos
The BirdUp app
Log your next Red-backed Fairywren in the field
A pocket field journal for 850+ Australian birds. Offline-first, smart ID, and a lifelist that travels with you.