Discover Nature at JCU Animals Birds by scientific name Malurus melanocephalus

Malurus melanocephalus

Malurus melanocephalus

(Red-backed Fairy Wren)

FAMILY

Maluridae

Species

Malurus melanocephalus

Common name

Red-backed Fairy Wren

Main colour(s)

Black with red(male), female brown

Distinctive feature

The black male with red back, size 12 cm

Campus

Townsville

Description

Some pairs of wrens are living in the grassy areas around the edge of the campus. The male birds are black with a red back and the tail held erect has some blue in it, but the females are brown with buff underparts, but there is no blue present in the tail, which is also held erect. Legs and feet brown, eyes dark brown, bill black.

More photos

Female red-backed fairy wren

Male