Superb Fairy-wren with no tail

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Araminta
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Superb Fairy-wren with no tail

I have a question that most likely can be answered by Holly. I have large numbers of Superb Fairy-wrens in my garden. There has always been one dominant male, with a large harem. Last week I saw this male, it had lost it's tail. None of it left! What do you think happened? Did a new male challenge him, and he lost his tail in a fight? does that mean, he lost his position? Will his tail grow back? I have been watching the shrub they all hang out in , for days, so far,I haven't seen him , nor has a new male turned up. At this time of the season, shouldn't there be a male in his full colours?? Any thoughts on this?

Amateur

I would guess it lost it to a predator like a cat or something of the sort. Whether it will grow back I honestly have no idea. Also at this time of the year the Superb Fairy Wren's main breeding season just started this month and should end around January (According to my field guide).

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