Superb Fairywren vs Wilson's Bird-of-paradise
Malurus cyaneus compared with Cicinnurus respublica
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Superb Fairywren | Wilson's Bird-of-paradise |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Malurus cyaneus | Cicinnurus respublica |
| Order | Passeriformes | Passeriformes |
| Family | Maluridae | Paradisaeidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
| Length | 14.0 cm (5.5 in) | 16.0 cm (6.3 in) |
| Wingspan | 16.0 cm (6.3 in) | 19.0 cm (7.5 in) |
| Weight | 10.0 g (0.35 oz) | 55.0 g (1.94 oz) |
| Diet | Primarily insects and other small invertebrates gleaned from low vegetation. Also takes seeds and small … | Fruit and insects gleaned from the forest canopy and subcanopy. Particularly favors figs. |
| Clutch Size | 2-4 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Superb Fairywren
Dense undergrowth in eucalyptus woodland, gardens, parks, and heath throughout southeastern Australia.
Wilson's Bird-of-paradise
Lowland and hill forests on the small islands of Waigeo and Batanta in the Raja Ampat archipelago, Indonesia.
Song & Call Comparison
Superb Fairywren
An extremely complex, melodic song: a long series of trills and warbles delivered rapidly. Males sing throughout the day. Alarm is a sharp 'tseet'. Among Australia's finest singers.
Wilson's Bird-of-paradise
Male gives a harsh, nasal 'waah' or 'eeah' from display perch. Song is poorly documented in wild. Also produces mechanical rattling wing sounds during display flights.
Geographic Range & Migration
Superb Fairywren
Southeastern Australia from Queensland through New South Wales, Victoria, to South Australia and Tasmania.
Wilson's Bird-of-paradise
Endemic to the islands of Waigeo and Batanta off the northwestern tip of New Guinea, Indonesia.
Conservation Status
Superb Fairywren
Wilson's Bird-of-paradise
How to Tell Them Apart
Superb Fairywren
Breeding males have a brilliant violet-blue crown, ear coverts, and mantle with a black throat band. Non-breeding males and females are plain brown with a blue tail.
Fine, pointed, dark bill
Wilson's Bird-of-paradise
Males have a brilliant red back, yellow nape, turquoise blue bare crown, and green breast shield. Violet-blue curled tail wires. Females are brownish with bare blue crown.
Short, slightly curved greyish bill
About These Birds
Superb Fairywren
The superb fairywren is one of Australia's most beloved and recognizable birds, with breeding males dressed in spectacular violet-blue plumage. These tiny birds live in cooperative family groups where helpers assist the breeding pair in raising young. Males pluck and present yellow flower petals to females as part of courtship.
Wilson's Bird-of-paradise
Wilson's bird-of-paradise is one of the most extraordinarily colored birds on Earth. Males meticulously clear a patch of forest floor as a display court, removing every leaf and twig. The species was virtually unknown to science until the late 20th century due to its restricted island range.