There are nine species of Australian Fairy-wrens (genus Malurus) and as the name Fairy suggests they are all small - and beautiful - however the Red-backed is the smallest. The Red-backed is found across northern Australia in WA, NT and Qld and its range extends south into NSW east of the Great Divide to about Newcastle.
Along the NSW north coast Superb, Variegated and Red-backed Fairy-wrens may all share the same small area of habitat, though the Superb is easily the most numerous and easiest to find.
The following photos of Red-backed Fairy-wrens were taken at the Byron Wetlands. One photo shows the all brown female which has no blue in the tail and no deeper brown around the eyes. All other species of female Fairy-wren have either some blue in the tail or have deeper brown around the eyes or both.
Please click on photos to enlarge.
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