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Red backed fairy wren display

To: Tony Eales <>,
Subject: Red backed fairy wren display
From: brian fleming <>
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:47:11 +1000
I have seen a male Superb Fairy-wren displaying with a shiny yellow Buttercup petal in his beak. Very striking! I understand that the petal-carrier is seeking an extra-marital mating with the female of the visited group and the petal is to indicate that he has no territorial ambitions. I think I read this in Schodde's book (illustrations by R.Weatherley).

Anthea Fleming


Tony Eales wrote:
This morning I observed a male RBFW displaying to members of his harem, holding 
a red petal of a coral tree flower in his beak. Another male came and grabbed 
it off him but to little effect because the whole group left him to sit rather 
forlorn looking with the prize in his beak. Is this common behaviour? I haven't 
seen mention of FWs using tools in their displays before.

Cheers Tony
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