White-shouldered Fairywren

Overview

The white-shouldered fairywren (Malurus alboscapulatus) is a bird species in the family Maluridae native to New Guinea. It is part of a clade of bicoloured wrens that are distinctive for their uniform black or blue plumage and lack of head patterns.

Identification

• Adult males are shiny black with prominent white shoulders, while the tail is shorter than in other fairywrens.
• The bill, feet, and eyes are black or dark brown.
• Females of certain subspecies feature pied plumage with black upperparts contrasting with white shoulders and underparts.

Habitat

This species is found exclusively in New Guinea, where it prefers lowland cleared areas, grassland, village gardens, and cane-grass.

Diet

Nestlings are primarily fed on Orthopterans and caterpillars by their parents.

Did you know?

Unlike the better-known Australian fairywrens, the white-shouldered fairywren lacks an eclipse male plumage.