The lovely fairywren was first described by the ornithologistJohn Gould in 1852, from a male specimen collected by Captain Owen Stanley in Cape York. Gould expected that a female would resemble that of a red-winged fairywren, and consequently described female specimens collected by John Jardine as a new species, Malurus hypoleucos.[5] The generic name Malurus is from the Greekmalos (soft) and oura (tail), while the specific epithet comes from the Latin adjective ămābǐlis, meaning lovely.[6] Lovely fairywren has been designated as its official name by the IOU. Other names for the species include lovely fairy-wren.[7]
Description
Like other fairywrens, the lovely fairywren is notable for its marked sexual dimorphism, males adopting a highly visible breeding plumage of brilliant iridescent blue and chestnut contrasting with black and grey-brown. The brightly coloured crown and ear tufts are prominently featured in breeding displays.[8] The male in breeding plumage has striking azure blue ear coverts, crown and upper back, a black throat and nape, chestnut shoulders and a white-tipped blue tail. The wings are black and the belly white. The female has smoky blue upperparts and tail, with turquoise ear tufts, and dark grey wings, and white below. Both sexes have black bills, brown eyes and flesh-grey feet. Immature birds resemble females but have brown bills.[5]
Behaviour and ecology
Diet
The lovely fairywren is insectivorous and eats several types of insects, including caterpillars.[5]
