Sunday 12 June 2011

Superb Fairy-wrens




This juvenile started life with no tail, and the tail he has now is nothing like the rest of his family's. I hope he survives.

14 comments:

  1. Aren't the males ... um ... superb?

    Is that 4th photo a juvenile? Even with the rusty mask? What is the second one then, as it has a tail that is changing to blue? They are such small delicate birds.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am so hoping to catch a photo of these one day out at Whistlers Rest ... back in the Summer when they were there all I got was a blur. I adore these little birds ... it is pure delight to have then in the garden.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The second one is a young male.

    Females and juveniles are very similar in colouring, but from our observations, we think the wren with the deformed tail in photo #4 is a juvenile. (We've got to know the family quite well. At lunch time today, one of them sat on my knee for a while.)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I couldn't agree more, Joan Elizabeth. I adore our family of wrens.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Vicki - this is such a treat, to see your first class photos of the wrens.

    They really are at home with you aren't they... to actually come and sit on your knee. An absolute thrill.

    We only get the occasional wren to our garden - I'm greedy, I'd love a family of them like yours ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Such beautiful photos Vicki, I just love the vibrant blue color they have and I hope the little guys tail will be okay for him.

    ReplyDelete
  7. After ooohing and aaaahing for a good 5 minutes--gotta say, Vicki, the pics of these little sweethearts just take my breath away. Their chest covering looks more like fur than feathers. Just incredible! And they come right up to you--what a special moment in time. (you're pretty comfortable with the camera and can see what the lens sees to get such awesome shots!)
    Thank you!
    Cherri
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  8. Susan, when it comes to nature, you're allowed to be greedy. :)

    This link may be of interest: Make your garden friendlier for superb fairy-wrens

    There's even an audio file of their call.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks, Jovi.

    Wren tails are supposed to point up, so I don't hold out much hope of the wee wren ever having a normal tail.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Cherri, I think it's more that the birds are comfortable with the camera and us.

    If a bird of prey appears, the wrens disappear in a flash. Once the danger passes, I can go out and call them and they'll come and tell me all about it. :)

    Now, when do we get to see your photos? ;)

    ReplyDelete
  11. I did not realise they would be so friendly. I love their inquisitive nature and the way they hop about. And that the family stays together. Exquisite shots I must say, even to repeat myself.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks very much for the garden friendly link for superb wrens. It's full of good info(the skink-friendly section was also pertinent to us).
    It was beaut to see we're about 50% on the right track.
    As you'd mentioned to me previously, a really bad factor but over which we have little control, are the neighbourhood cats. I'm currently carrying out an orange peel & citronella experiment at the moment!

    I think it's just wonderful how you have a refuge for the wrens at your home.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Vicki - this is my first time visit to your lovely blog - I love the sweet little blue wrens and have to admire you for having captured them so well - I tried a few weeks back but they hopped away so quickly it was impossible to get a clear shot. With the robin red breasts they would have to be my favourite birds.
    "Adelaide and Beyond"

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks for visiting, Dianne.

    Wrens don't stay in one place for long, that's for sure.

    I'd love to see your robin red breasts. We don't see them here often.

    ReplyDelete