General Description
Breeding male: mostly dark blue, paler on forehead and ear coverts; narrow black band on breast extending to black collar on neck; black bill. Non breeding male (eclipse plumage): mostly greyish brown with dull blue wings and tail. Female: similar to non-breeding male but with brown bill, lores and eye ring. To 14 cm.
Biology
Nest a small dome of grass, leaves and seed heads bound with spiders' web and with a side entrance. Only the female builds the nest and incubates the eggs. Breeding occurs from September to mid-January. Two to four eggs comprise the clutch.
Distribution
Southern Western Australia through parts of Northern Territory, South Australia, western New South Wales and south Queensland. North western Victoria.
Habitat
Thickets, scrubs and forest undergrowth of southern Western Australia.
More Information
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Animal Type
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Animal SubType
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Brief Id
A small bird, males a brilliant glossy violet blue when breeding. Females a dull greyish brown. Non-breeding males similar to females.
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Colours
Blue, Black, Brown, Grey
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Maximum Size
14 cm
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Habitats
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Diet
Insects
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Endemicity
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Commercial
No
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Taxon Name
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Common Name
Splendid Fairy-wren
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Kingdom
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Phylum
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Subphylum
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Class
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Order
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Family
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Genus
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Species Name
splendens
