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Isn't
the question whether it is M. leucopterus leucopterus or M. leucopterus
leuconotus, rather than between M. leucopterus and M. leuconotus which is not a
correct name anyway. As in it is a subspecies difference, not a species
difference. Pizzey's book says of race leuconotus cobalt blue
(occasionally black). I'm guessing your photo is of one of these occasional.
Interesting it is the nominate race (the black & white one) that has a
very restricted in range, the blue & white one widely known to us in eastern
and central Aust is not the nominate race.
Philip
I would appreciate views on the
photo below (not a very good one as it was taken from some distance). Is
it m. leucopterus (black wren) or m. leuconotus (blue wren) or was the light
playing tricks with me? The photo was taken at Garalia Station which is
south of the bottom end of Exmouth Gulf, WA, nearer Coral Bay than Exmouth. All my photos of this
bird show a small blue patch just behind the eye which apparently is not
uncommon in the black wrens. The guide books give m. leucopterus’ known
habitat as Dirk
Hartog Island, noting that the black wren is
rarely seen on the mainland. However, we met a fellow birder at Halls Creek who
showed us a good photo of a black wren that he claims he took at Shark Bay. Rhonda photographed the same
bird and her photos are similar to mine.
Regards
Lindsay
Hansch
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