lirralirra

This male Superb Fairywren is incredibly lucky to have survived whatever predator attacked it and ripped out its tail feathers.

He is sporting his eclipse plumage as he regains his striking blues and blacks ready for the mating season. My guess is that the predator was probably a roaming cat. We do see foxes here but they mainly take rabbits, the occasional blackbird, and sadly the neighbours’ chickens. I think fairywrens are too small and fast for foxes to bother with. Goshawks and sparrowhawks are another possibility but they prefer Eastern Yellow Robins, and they rarely miss.

Many thanks to my neighbour Kirk who has been chopping up a large Swamp Gum (E. ovata) that fell last week. The fairywrens have loved fossicking among the fallen branches and Kirk was the first to spot this unique little bird.

A huge plea to anyone who might still think it’s okay to allow their cats to roam. Please, please keep them safely contained on your own property. It’s way better for your cats and for our wildlife.

Happy birding, Kim

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