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Splendid Fairyujren Malurus Splendens

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Splendid Fairyujren Malurus Splendens The Splendid FairyUJren Malurus splendens by Mark Cairns & Ian Smith, Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens, Melbourne, Victoria Preamble foliage and scrub layers. The fairy­ evolutionary advantage because the The keeping of softbills in avicul­ wrens belong to the Family Malundae energy used to produce complex ture, in particular fairywrens, is becom­ which is classified to form part of the vocalizations to partition hold and ing more popular as people realize largest, and arguably the most success­ defend living space, i' less than the that they are not a bird species ful, group of birds collectively known energy used in physical exertion to reserved only for the most experi­ as passerines (commonly called perch­ perform confrontational hehaviors enced aviculturists to house and breed. ing birds or songbirds). The name (which run the risk of injury) More importantly, it is a realization that 'songbird' is given to passerines employed hy other groups of hirds. the keeping of softbills is the simple because they have a syrinx (similar to The Maluridae is n1ade up of five gen­ application of different management the larynx in humans). This is believed era. Two of these are endemic to New techniques, feeding requirements, and to have provided passerine.s with an Guinea (Sipodotus and Clytomyias), level of commitment from that of the more "traditional" bird species such as parrots and doves. Many of us at one time or another have probably seen a species of fairy­ wren in. the wild darting about whilst twittering loudly. As aviculturists many of us have probably thought to our­ selves how stunning these birds would look in the backyard aviary. One species that could be considered as a candidate for such an undertaking is the Splendid Fairywren which is a fas­ cinating and stunning bird in a well planted aviary. Other Common Names Black-backed Fairywren, Turquoise Fairywren, . Australian Banded Wren, Banded Blue Wren, Banded Fairywren, Mormon Wren, White's Blue Wren. Introduction The word "wren' comes from the European species of bird with the same nam'e, whereas in Australia it has been used to describe a number of small active bird species that dart The ~plendid Fair.yuJren Malurus splendens. around on the ground and in thick 20 September/October 1999 Cedar Hill Bird Enterprises Breeding b-"r tIte- new We breed over 70 species of exotic parrots and softbills. We specialize in rare color mutations from around the world and continue the propagation of the rarest birds in captivity. Our current breeding program includes Hoffman's Conures (both species), Yellow Faced Parrotlets, White Eared Conures (nominate and sub species), Yellow Lored Amazons, Golden Conures, and Cuban Amazons. Our mutations include Lutino & Goldchecken Kakarikis, Lutino and Rubino Rosellas, Blue-Lutino-Albino Pacific Parrotlets, many mutation Grass Parakeets .. "::.(., and much more. Check out our Web Page. We are always looking for Rare & Unusual Color Mutations Eric Antheunisse est. 1982 Lodi, California Phone (707)578-3976 Cedar Hill Bird [email protected] UPCOMING CALIFORNIA BIRD SHOWS JULY 18 SAN FRANCISCO COW PALACE AUG. 29 VALLEJO SOLANO COUNTY FRGRNDS SEPT. ~2 SANTA ROSA SONOMA COUNTY FRGRNDS SEPT. ~9 ANTIOCH CONTRA COSTA CNTY. FRGDS. SEPT. 26 SAN MATEO SAN MATEO Expo CENTER OCT. 3 TULARE TULARE COUNTY FRGRNDS. OCT. ~O PLEASANTON ALAMEDA CNTY. FRGRNDS EC. U Be 12 SAN FRANCISCO Cow PALACE FOR INFO CALL (707)578 3976 [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR WEB PAGE FOR OTHER SHOWS IN CALIFORNIA the afa WATCHBIRD 21 two are endemic to Australia (being adopt the plumage coloration of the species as it is often found searching Amytornis - grasswrens, and Stipiturus adult female but lack blue in the tail. amongst higher levels of tree foliage - emu-wrens), and one is shared by and shrubs. Australia and ew Guinea (Malurus ­ Distribution Fairywrens). The Splendid Fairywren is a wide­ Turquoise Fairywren M. s. callai­ The Splendid Fairywren Malurus spread species occurring throughout nus. This race is found through the cen­ splendens was described in 1830 and central eastern, central, and far tral Australian part of the distribution belongs to a group commonly called Western Australia. Throughout this where it generally tends to occupy a "bi-colored wrens." The term "bi-col­ range they have been described as greater proportion ofarid habitats types ored" refers to the change in plumage replacing the closely related Superb when compared to those of M. s splen­ colour by mature males. During the Fairywren M. cyaneus which occurs dens. This race differs by having a dis­ breeding season males attain a "nup­ through eastern and 'outh eastern tinct bright turquoise blue on the crown tial" plumage which is brightly col­ Australia. It is generally absent from and back, black rump, sky blue under­ ored, and in the non-breeding season the northern tropical regions and belly, and sometimes black scapular molt to a dull "eclipse" plumage. The feathers. The throat retains the deep male is brightly colored throughout Distribution of the violet blue coloration of Ms. splendens. the breeding season so he can display Here its habitat is typified by dense Splendid Fairy-wren mulga, mallee and salt bush scrub rang­ to a prospective mate and to assert Ma/urus sp/endens himself as the dominant male to the ing from South Australia through to the rest of the social group. central Torthern TerritoI)'. This sub­ The forming ofsocial groups/family species hybridizes/introgresses with M. parties with siblings is a common s. splendens in a broad zone north of behavioral characteristic of the fail)'­ the ullarbor Plain. wrens. It is also interesting to note that the erect tails typically seen in Black-backed Fairywren M. s. Fairywrens is thought to playa part in melanotus. This subspecies is in most maintaining stability within the social respects similar to M. s. cal/ainus but group by acting as a signalling device. differs by having a uniform bright Often the dominant animals will have cobalt blue base colour with a distinct­ slightly longer tail feathers. With the ly narrower black breast band. This loss of this display/signalling system • M. s. splendens race is found in mallee and porcupine (made up by the combination of M. s. callainus grass habitats from northern Victoria plumage colour and erect tail) during M. s. melanotus through to south/central Queensland the molt, it is not uncommon for all Although they will freely interbreed, members of a social group to molt Hybridisation/introgression zone velY few field records report of any simultaneously. After the breeding sea­ introgression between this race and M. son is over the males molt into a dull extends just north of the Tropic of s callainus. This is likely to be caused brown plumage (similar to female), Capricorn in central east and central by the Eyrean barrier (~ natural "wall") with the tail and wings being washed Australia. This species appears to be which follows the site ofthe inland sea with blue. more adapted to semi-arid and/or arid bordered in the east by the Flinders The male can be distinguished by environments. Three distinct races of Ranges in South Australia. having a black bill and dusky grey col­ M. splendens are currently recognized The delightful colour photo by oration around the eye. This dull where distinction between races is Warwick Remington accompanying plumage allows him to retire safely based on differences in adult male this article depicts an adult male in back to a normal mode of existence nuptial plumages: "nuptial" plumage. Although the defin­ where he is able to camouflage himself itive provenance of this particular ani­ with his surroundings. It has been Splendid Fairywren M. s. splen­ mal is unknown, it possesses the char­ known for elderly males to molt direct­ dens. This was the first of the sub­ acters that are typical for the subspecies ly into a new nuptial plumage, bypass­ species to be described by ornitholo­ melanotus of the Splendid Fairywren. ing the eclipse plumage phase alto­ gists and is therefore considered to be All tl1ree races are essentially the same gether. Females remain unchanged in the nominate race. The male has a uni­ size around l4cm in length (5.60 inch­ plumage throughout the year and are form deep violet blue base colour on es). Female variation between the races generally brown with (unlike the the crown, back, throat, chest and is negligible although plumage col­ female Fairywren Malurus cyaneus), a underbelly and is on average slightly oration tends to pale in more arid slight blue wash through their tail and larger than the other races. This.sub­ regions which, like many other bird wing feathers. Females have a russet species tends to favor forest margins species, is in concordance with brown coloration around the eye and and dl)' inland habitats in dense foliage Gloger's Rule. have a light brown bill. Juvenile males in Western Australia. Its feeding behav­ The Splendid Fairywren is relatively and females are difficult to sex and ior is atypical of many other fairywren new to aviculture. This may have to 22 September/October 1999 some extent contributed to the mis­ There are a number of plant checks for developing holes and conception that Fairywrens (and soft­ species that can be recommended and repairs. The aviary should also be rat bills in general) are difficult to house readily available at nurseries that pro­ and mouse-proofed as fairywrens are and breed. In Victoria at the end of vide the variety and "ecotone" suitable particularly vulnerable to these pests March 1996 there were only 33 for the Splendid Fairywren. Tussock because the birds nest and roost clos­ licensed specimens in captivity (no grasses such as Poa labillidieri that er to the ground than most other bird demarcation ofsubspecies).
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