The splendid social life of Australia’s bluest bird
August 13, 2024 7:25 AM Subscribe
"Like watching a soap opera": The splendid social life of Australia’s bluest bird. They may seem like just a beautiful blue bird, but under the surface the social dynamics of the splendid fairy-wren is anything but simple.
I've always thought splendid fairy wrens were the most accurately named birds. Sure, cardinals are red like a cardinal, but these birds are truly splendid!
posted by pangolin party at 8:30 AM on August 13
posted by pangolin party at 8:30 AM on August 13
wow. that's like 5 shades of the bluest blue that ever blued. pretty little birb. (I would be a drama queen too!)
posted by supermedusa at 9:38 AM on August 13 [1 favorite]
posted by supermedusa at 9:38 AM on August 13 [1 favorite]
The fairy wren's cobalt blue iridescence is so striking, and I love reading about their chipper demeanor and bravery.
Seeing one of our Idaho Mountain Bluebirds is always amazing. So beautiful, and even under the bluest sky they stand out. They're fairly standoffish, but not shy about being spotted. From what I can tell, our bluebirds are more of a powdery blue with a lighter underbelly, darkest blue on the wings, so not as striking as the fairy wrens.
Our Western Lazuli Buntings are wonderful but should probably hide their little blue heads in shame at their pretentious name. They don't have a blue body color. Embarrassment could be why they're so shy and hard to spot.
I think our Western Bluebird is nice and will hang around feeders brightening the place up, but they're a tri-color and the ones here are a bit faded.
The Steller's Jay found in the woods have color that can knock your socks off (and then they will steal them) but they have a boring dark head and shoulders. They are bold bandits and will dive bomb the dog on walks, but they're not especially social.
So the bestest birbs for today are fairy wrens and of course always the chariot-pulling cassowaries.
posted by BlueHorse at 10:02 AM on August 13 [4 favorites]
Seeing one of our Idaho Mountain Bluebirds is always amazing. So beautiful, and even under the bluest sky they stand out. They're fairly standoffish, but not shy about being spotted. From what I can tell, our bluebirds are more of a powdery blue with a lighter underbelly, darkest blue on the wings, so not as striking as the fairy wrens.
Our Western Lazuli Buntings are wonderful but should probably hide their little blue heads in shame at their pretentious name. They don't have a blue body color. Embarrassment could be why they're so shy and hard to spot.
I think our Western Bluebird is nice and will hang around feeders brightening the place up, but they're a tri-color and the ones here are a bit faded.
The Steller's Jay found in the woods have color that can knock your socks off (and then they will steal them) but they have a boring dark head and shoulders. They are bold bandits and will dive bomb the dog on walks, but they're not especially social.
So the bestest birbs for today are fairy wrens and of course always the chariot-pulling cassowaries.
posted by BlueHorse at 10:02 AM on August 13 [4 favorites]
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posted by HearHere at 8:09 AM on August 13