Male Superb Fairy Wren

Hi Shorty, if you have a close look at the chest of the wren, you should see, that the feathers are just starting to change.The light coloured feather is the first obvious change. I hope you read carefully what I said Shorty, I have explained the male eclipse in detail.

If you would like me to post about 30 photos of the wrens changing in sequence, I can do that.

I don’t mind sharing one more observation with you. Early this breeding season, after the male in breeding plumage lost his leg, while she was sitting on the nest, he was mostly sitting on the fence trying to cope. Two eggs actually hatched, but they disappeared.

She started to search for a “replacement husband” immediately, while he was still sitting on the fence. Only a few hours later I observed her engaging in some courting with another male. That male was not in breeding colours, I even saw them mating. So the idea that the dominant male changes into breeding plumage to impress the girl did not apply here. She chose him, (that’s how it works), and over the next week he changed into the beautiful colours. O, one more thing, although she had replaced the one legged male with a two legged male, I often saw her “catch up” with him behind the house.

Thanks Shorty, I'm not a Professor of anything, but I have come to the same conclusions all by myself. ( Just by observing hundreds of Wrens over the years.)

 Not only that, but had to listen to some sarcastic remarks, and being somewhat made to look stupid. But as always in life, why should you listen to anything anyone without a degree says?

But even now, the findings of some University people have more credibility. Ah well, nothing new to me

If you read what I said above in my last post, there is also some of my backyard research, but who cares? I'm beginning not to anymore. Just keep on doing my own research, will enjoy what I observe , but not share anymore.

Good luck to all the researchers out there.

Thanks for going to the trouble to find that out rawshorty.  Wonder if there were any further blue to blue molts after that small percentage in '92 & any connections/correlation if so?  Or if it was just an anomaly....hmmm - think I'll just continue to enjoy them no matter what colour, when colour - does my head in less .

Hi Shorty, I just found your photos on Google, under Superb Fairy Wrens. Click on "more images" up come a page with lots of photos of Wrens, about 6 of mine, also the Splendid Fairy Wren Nathan posted on BIBY.

I noticed the other day some of "ours" molting back into breeding plumage, this is obviously new, as we seem to have up to 6 or 8 males around all the time, and have not noticed the "change" until a few days ago. I still can't get any decent photos, too fast and too far away or not enough light (too much fog) but will keep trying. Thought it might be too early, being our winter, but from what M-L says it is probably fairly normal.