Malurus melanocephalus
TAXONOMY
Malurus melanocephalus Latham, 1801, central coast of New South Wales, Australia. Two subspecies.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
English: Red-backed wren; French: Mérion à dos rouge; German: Rotrücken-Staffelschwanz; Spanish: Ratona Australiana de Lomo Rojo.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
5.7 in (14.5 cm); female 0.18–0.35 oz (5.0–10.0 g), male 0.21–0.35 oz (6.0–10.0 g). Breeding males are black with a bright red back. Nonbreeding males, females, and young drab brownish above, buff below.
DISTRIBUTION
Mostly tropical and along coastal belt. M. m. cruentatus across northern Australia; M. m. melanocephalus in northeastern Australia.
HABITAT
Tropical swamps, samphire flats, and woodlands with extensive grassy cover on coastal plains and adjacent mountains.
BEHAVIOR
Locally nomadic in nonbreeding season as preferred habitat of seasonal grass is subject to frequent fires; grazing and fires may inhibit formation of permanent territories.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Forage mainly by gleaning a broad spectrum of invertebrates from grass, leaves and twigs, but do take some fruit and seeds. Hop-search on open ground and hawk flying insect prey.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Territorial, cooperative breeders, but social system not well-understood. Female builds oval domed grass nest. Incubation is by the female for 13–14 days; fledging in 10–11 days.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened. Human habitat alteration may have actually increased available grassy habitat for this species.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
None known.
