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Superb Fairy-wren

Malurus cyaneus

I didn't have high expectations for seeing any of the gorgeous, brilliantly colored Fairy-wren species during our Australia trip in 2019. While we certainly had a chance of running across the different species, it was May and June, the Australian winter. Any Fairy-wrens we did see would be in their duller winter plumage.

Or so I thought! While walking near Coffs Harbour, on the east coast of Australia, a brilliant flash of blue flew in front of us and landed on a nearby perch. A male Superb Fairy-wren, in breeding plumage!! I was able to get a few photos of it before it flew off, including the one below. It wasn't until later that I read the dominant male Superb Fairy-wren in a given area sometimes maintains their breeding plumage well into the winter, and that's clearly what I saw here.

Click here for more photos of this species