FOUR FEMALE FAIRY WRENS
The bander might have problems identifying females in areas
where the ranges of Superb, Variegated, Splendid, and White-winged Fairy-wrens
overlap. Differences which will
assist identification are listed below.
Tail lengths differ but this may not help if the birds are moulting. They also vary geographically; the
measurements given are of Victorian birds.
Superb Fairy-wren
Tail Brown with greyish green tinge and a
fine off-white tip that soon wears off.
Lores Light chestnut.
Tail Length Range 57
to 71 mm, 183 birds.
Variegated Fairy-wren
Tail Grey tinged blue with white tip. (Each pair of feathers markedly shorter
than the pair inside, giving typical ‘cathedral’ shape.) Lores Rich chestnut (sharply defined). Tail Length Range 68 to 82 mm, 13 birds.
Splendid Fairy-wren
Tail Broad. Deep greyish turquoise with a narrow
white tip on all but two central tail feathers. Lores Pale rufous. Flight Feathers Often edged faintly greenish grey. Tail Length Range 57 to 66 mm, 45 birds.
White-winged Fairy-wren
Very much smaller than the others
(Ian Rowley, pers. com.).
Tail Grey faintly
washed greyish turquoise.
Lores Off-white.
