Mixed Fairy-wren group

On my regular walk along Police Creek (Gladstone QLD) this morning, I was pleased to note that Red-backed Fairy-wrens have returned (they have taken off for a while after their nesting site was sprayed and the grass died). Upon their return, they seemed to have picked up a female Superb Fairy-wren. There were 5 females in a group, one of which had a very distinct rufous eye band. Below is a link of two grab shots I managed, one of each species.

Two questions for the group: 1. Can someone please confirm the ID of what I have called the Superb Fairy-wren? and, 2. Is it a common occurrence to find two species of Fairy-wrens within a group?

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.596590223380.2080891.212901473&type=1&l=cbd81bac6a

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5 comments to Mixed Fairy-wren group

  • "Roger Giller"

    About a month ago I observed both Superb and Variegated Fairywrens at Owens Walkway near Readhead NSW. They were not in a countable flock, but both species were flitting in and out of the same patch of scrub at the same time.

    Roger.

  • "Elizabeth Shaw"

    Oh to have more than one species of fairy-wren in your area! Elizabeth Shaw Phillip Island Victoria

  • nagrompr

    And about 18 months ago, we had a group of Red-backed, Variegated, and Superb Fairy-wren together at Brooms Head on the north coast of NSW.

    Peter and Bev Morgan.

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  • David Stowe

    Hi Hannah, I have seen White-winged + Variegated, and Superb + Variegated, and Red-backed + Superb together before so i assume it isn’t that uncommon. Cheers Dave Stowe

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  • martin cachard

    Hi Hannah, Yes, you are spot on with your species ID for this individual being a Superb Fairy-wren, but I am not so sure that it is necessarily a female.I can’t camment on mixed species groups as I’ve never seen any in my own personal experience. Cheers for now, Martin Cachard, Cairns, 0428 782 808

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