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A small bird with a long tail that is held cocked.
Not listed
Endemic to Australia
Indigenous: Narangem, Wididjirr'wididjirr, A-Wirdijirrwirdijirr, Wurramagu, Jitjjiwk, Ninin
At a glance
FamilyFairywrens
SizeTiny
RarityCommon
HabitatDense shrubs, grassy margins, scrub, hedgerows, and low cover near open feeding patches.
Best timeReported across most months in Queensland, with no narrow seasonal peak.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Marc Anderson
Range map
Range map
3523visible hotspots
141423visible records
4states
SparseModerateDense hotspot
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Nonbreeding males and females are extremely similar—both are pale brownish birds with brown tails. Their plumage has a warmer, browner tone than female Superb Fairywren. Red-backed Fairywrens are found in grasslands, swamps, and areas with long grass around tropical northern Australia and around the east coast into northern New South Wales.
Behavior
Breeding males are mostly black with red back and rump.
Gallery