Over the past few days I have seen a couple of male fairy wrens in full breeding plumage. I was quite suprised by it; shouldn't all the males be in eclipse plumage now that we're well out of the breeding season? Could it be that the milder (so far) winter is encouraging them to retain plumage?
Hi Lachlan
Not if he's older than four years. Older than four they generally retain breeding colours.
There was a chat about it here, and a couple of other places that I can't remember just off hand sorry.
http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/forum/Male-Superb-Fairy-Wren
West Coast Tasmania
Actually, that info may be wrong about 4 years Lachlan. I think Holly (admin) may have even confirmed that they can retain their breeding colours after 2?? They don't go into a moult at all into eclipse plumage.
West Coast Tasmania
Wow, thanks!
I thought they all went into eclipse plumage... Thanks for correcting me. I should have searched the site rather than just making a new thread.
Don't worry that you did not use the search function. To many forums have negative responces like "why did you not use the search to find this out". This forum is full of freindly people all to happy to help.
My blue wren is still around and at the wetlands there are now 2. I will have to check but i think there are some males at the ANBG that are older than 2 and do change back. I'll try to find the facts for you.
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
The males I saw were in the ANBG- I was looking for the mystical Rose Robins that have cropped up on the Canberra Ornithologists Goup list a couple of times recently.
Did they have bandings?
Did you get pics?
I have heaps of pics with the bandings, it could help to find out more info.
Rose Robins? I have not seen these reports and i look every day, maybe i'm just getting old
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
The Rose Robin reports were at the end of last month- so probably old news, but I've kept trying to find one. I think I saw one, but I didn't get a very good look. All I saw was some reddish purple behind some Acacia leaves, so I've assumed it was one- I can't think what else it'd be.
I didn't get close enough to see if the wrens had bandings, and I had (stupidly) left my camera behind. I was just suprised to see little blobs of light blue scampering through the trees in winter.
It's not Winter yet
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Feels enough like it at night.
Oh definitely, exactly what Shorty said - hope my response didn't come across the wrong way
. I was just being lazy giving the link, thought it may be quicker for you to find. Anyway, it's all good 
I'll see your almost winter, and add a brrr from here. I've had my eyes peeled for news on the snow forecast site, but bit early for anything good to fall low and stick. Bit inconsiderate really, I'm darn sure it's cold enough
West Coast Tasmania