The secret life of Superb Fairy-wrens - Featuring special scenes from the nest
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- Опубликовано: 19 май 2020
- These Superb Fairy-wrens (Malurus cyaneus) were mostly filmed in autumn 2020 in the Capertee Valley (NSW), with some moments from early 2019. Given the size of fairy-wren territories and various filming locations within the one private property, the footage includes individuals across different territories rather than the same family group. However, all the nest and feeding scenes were obtained, remarkably, on May 10-11 2020. A typical breeding season ranges from September to January, with August-March covering the vast majority of their nesting. April/May breeding is definitely special, but how rare is unclear. Several bird species in more arid parts of Australia breed after substantial rain. Could this be a great example of Superb Fairy-wren adaptability?
So why the unusual nesting time here? The opening photo was taken from the Capertee River bridge about mid April 2020. What a stunning and very welcome vista after a drought-affected 2019 and fiery start to summer 2019/20. Also marvel at the closing landscape footage from late March. (The nest was hidden in vegetation on the far left of this view.) Good rains started in late summer and revisited the valley across autumn. Both the amount of rain and frequency lead to grass growth and general greening-up, as well as replenishing dams and long-dry creeks. For much of 2019 we sighed when crossing Capertee River as only the odd stagnant pool was visible. But since mid February 2020 the river has been flowing consistently, with occasional flooding of the banks. More importantly for Superb Fairy-wrens and other birds, this change of conditions has brought an explosion in insect numbers. We don’t have hard data to compare, but casual observations support the notion of more food for insectivorous birds this autumn than in the preceding spring-summer.
What we don’t know is whether this very late brood is additional to the usual number of breeding events per season (2-3) or simply a delayed attempt given a particularly harsh spring-summer (so within the normal number of broods). April footage of a likely juvenile (plain brown tail and hint of a gape) suggests at least one pair bred successfully earlier in 2020. Even in less conducive times the property has waterholes (albeit depleted) and swathes of suitable habitat. Open forest and woodland are natural habitats for this species, while modified vegetation with shrub zones and open ground can sometimes be preferred. All are available here. Although the nesting location might appear densely vegetated in the broad view, the growth habit of many native grasses provides space for ground-foragers, as do shady trees and macropods (lazing, grazing and forging paths). Similarly, most grassy areas on this property are slashed to create wide access roads or fire-trails. We have noticed increased bird activity after slashing as various birds relish the best of both worlds (easy foraging and areas of protection/nesting potential).
Our May nest discovery was doubly surprising in that we found at all. Although Superb Fairy-wrens are not uncommon and a portable bird hide near a shrub can yield some adorable close-ups, their nests are much more elusive. Only by chance, when setting down equipment during a late afternoon walk, was something noticed quite close to the ground in a particular shrub. The first nest filming session occurred then, before a second visit late morning the following day. Two methods were used - a hidden camera controlled by WIFI, and a camera with zoom lens operated from a portable blind. The fairy-wren family seemed unperturbed by either camera.
During these sessions the same two adults (based on appearance and movements) were observed (along with three chicks). That is, the adult female parent and her male partner in full breeding plumage (probably a mature male who retains breeding plumage year round). Both adults fed the chicks and removed faecal sacs, but the female did more of the work in the filming period. Helpers (i.e. typically, male offspring from previous clutches) were not seen, which may mean this nesting event involves only the social pair rather than cooperative breeding. (Around half of nests have helpers.) But there’s a lot more to Superb Fairy-wren partnerships than meets the eye. For starters, the paired male feeding the chicks is unlikely to be their biological father. Indeed, the Superb Fairy-wren is one of the world’s most promiscuous birds! To read more about these fascinating and charismatic creatures check out this Guardian Australia article by Holly Parsons www.theguardian.com/environme... and visit www.birdsinbackyards.net/speci... 
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Beautiful
They are such beautiful little birds and we are so lucky to have them
Sweet little birds :)
I love these guys. I live in an urban area, sometimes they've fluttered and foraged right under me sitting in a chair in the yard. They're fearless little birds when they get used to you. Sometimes they've nested in the yard as well, they seem to appreciate having a water source nearby.
Thanks for sharing!
thank you, for this beautiful vid. I see them at South Head, Sydney near HMAS Watson, on the walk to Lady Jane Beach and the South Head beyond. Thel love the dense coastal scrub on the cliff tops.
Thanks for sharing!
Superb documentary about these appropriately named birds.
Many thanks!
I saw one of these in the tree next to my kitchen window the other day, i thought it was some sort of finch.
I live in Outer West near the Blue Mountains, Sydney.
Superb photography! What a wonderful little family! And a beautiful location!
AWESOME! Our constant support for a UNIQUE, PERFECT channel! Thank you for your support, we love and appreciate you!
Thank you
I saw these for the first time today in the Perth hills and I've been happy all day 🥰
Fantastic video and great shots of the gorgeous babies. I am very lucky to have heaps of fairy wrens at home here so I try to encourage their habitat as much as possible by planting natives etc 💕😊
That's great to hear
They are a Very Special part of Our birds family, what a lovely video, so close!! thankyou for sharing🙌🏼✨💙
Thank you the footage is breathtaking. Wow! My favourite is feeding the chicks in that loosely woven grass nest and the pair grooming each other. Thank you for the comprehensive description and further information. I have this bird visiting my Sydney garden in Clontarf. during courting season. The male is looking at himself in a little garden mirror, I have. He sings and flits around acrobatically. Gorgeous.
Thank you for your kind feedback. Glad you appreciate the comprehensive description and further information.
Thank you very much, beautiful and lovely birds, beautiful video!
Many thanks
I wish we got them in the suburbs. I have seen them once but that was during drought when the nearest water source was the weed-infested 8m wide patch of bushland accross the road from me. I found an old book from the 1960s that said that they are extremely common in the suburbs, along with thornbills and finches (which I have never seen near me). It's sad to see how our little bird populations are declining in areas.
I get a group of six or seven come by twice a day, they're so cute
I almost ran over 2 the other day! Luckily i saw them just in time but they’re just so tiny😮.
Phew. Glad you saw them in time.
Awesome capture. Thanks for sharing so wonderful fooatges. Big Like 200
Hello there, wonderful video, I am making a video for my school work and I was wondering if I could use a clip or two of the blue wren on the branch. Thankyou
Just saw a female carrying foliage in her beak in my area. Hope I can find the nest and keep an eye on them.
These are red winged fairy wrens
What is that white sack thing that the female seems to be taking out of the nest?
Hi Pippi, it is a fecal sac en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fecal_sac
We have wrens nearby but not in our yard, I am trying to grow some more dense vegetation and would like to have a nesting box. It looks as if they prefer to nest low down. Does anyone e have any recommendations on what plants they like to be amongst and what type of nesting box would be suitable. We have lots of ravens, magpies and minors so I want to keep them safe if they come.
Thank you for your question. Good habitat will help your local birds. This video provides tips on the kind of plants to conisder ruclips.net/video/X9yT69dNfKs/видео.html.
Oh no, was that a baby cuckoo in the nest with those hatchlings? A very large baby
Don’t worry. All three are wrens. Could be slight differences in maturation.