What is the scientific name of the superb fairy-wren?
Q: What is the scientific name of the superb fairy-wren?
A: The scientific name of the superb fairy-wren is Malurus cyaneus.
Q: What are some physical characteristics of the male in breeding plumage?
A: The male in breeding plumage has a bright blue forehead, ear coverts, mantle, and tail with a black mask and black or dark blue throat.
Q: How does the superb fairy-wren behave?
A: The superb fairy-wren is socially monogamous but sexually promiscuous. They form pairs between one male and one female, but each partner will mate with other individuals and even assist in raising the young from such pairings. Male wrens pluck yellow petals and display them to females as part of a courtship display.
Q: Where can you find this species?
A: The superb fairy-wren can be found in almost any area that has at least a little dense undergrowth for shelter, including grasslands with scattered shrubs, moderately thick forest, woodland, heaths, and domestic gardens. It has adapted well to the urban environment and is common in suburban Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne.
Q: What does it eat?
A: The superb fairy-wren eats mostly insects and supplements its diet with seeds.
Q: Is there sexual dimorphism among this species?
A: Yes, there is sexual dimorphism among this species; males have different physical characteristics than females or juveniles which are mostly grey-brown in colour.
Q: Are nonbreeding males brightly coloured like breeding males?
A: No, nonbreeding males are not brightly coloured like breeding males; they are mostly grey-brown in colour like females or juveniles.
