I love watching Superb Fairywren families as they do their regular circuit around my property.
I’ve recently raised this gorgeous handmade (thank you Fiona) birdbath onto a stand between two other birdbaths and it has become a favourite spot for the fairywrens to bathe.
Although juvenile fairywrens have brown lores and bills they don’t have the bluish tinge to their tails that these three have. Also, the local juvenile males have bills that are already turning black. This year there is even one stately male that has retained his bright blue breeding plumage over winter. He is the dominant male in the family group, even though most of the offspring he helps raise won’t be genetically related to him. I’ve written before about the promiscuous behaviour of female fairywrens sneaking off for pre-dawn liaisons with neighbouring males. They have a fascinating social structure.
There is something magical about fairywrens. Even though I’m likely to see them several times each day I always pause to watch them and am always thrilled to see their antics. I hope they make you feel just as content.
Happy birding, Kim
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