Passeriformes

Fairy-wrens (Maluridae)

HBW 12, p. 490 Learn more about the Handbook of the Birds of the World - Volume 12 on the Lynx Edicions website.

• Small to very small insectivores with long legs and long cocked tail; plumage strongly sexually dimorphic, breeding males with streaked brown or brilliant, largely blue and black, iridescent plumage, females duller.
• Australia and New Guinea, including some islands.
• Variety of habitats, ranging from tropical rainforest and Eucalyptus forest to savanna, grassland and shrubland, including arid and semi-arid areas.
• 5 genera, 27 species, 65 taxa.
• 2 species threatened; none extinct since 1600.