Flashes came from down in the thick brown grass. A blotch of white, then some black, then a little red, one flicker seemed the same color as the grass. Two birds were moving in jumps, dashes, and twists. It had to be two with that much movement, but I could never get more than a peek. They progressed through the tangle from my left to the right, and I kept shuffling along the trail at Tyto Wetlands, hoping for more.
Then, a pair of Red-backed Fairywrens popped out on an exposed branch. They were tiny birds, chickadee size, but with long tails. They sat side by side, only a small space between them. One then the other reached across the opening, lightly touching its mate’s feathers. Scientists call this allopreening. It is a pair-bond and courtship behavior like holding hands while walking down a path or that light touch of an arm.
This species forms permanent, long-term pair bonds. Holding a piece of property is critical for survival and reproduction. Young from previous clutches may stay with their parents for a year or more, helping raise the next broods. It is all a strategy to find a territory and be able to breed themselves. Males hope to inherit their father’s territories, and females tend to occupy a nearby one when that female dies. A home is a premium item to possess.
Fairywrens are found across Australia. Ornithologists have extensively studied a close relative, the Superb Fairywren. The male in that species has a neon blue back. One thing they discovered is that often, a pair are close relatives. Scientists pondered that this would not be good for evolution because it would result in inbreeding and the loss of genetic vitality. So, how does this work for this group? Fairywrens are highly successful in Australia.
Genetic analyses of young and detailed behavioral studies of adults have shed much light on this reproductive strategy. Males will boldly fly into adjacent territories or ones two or so territories away and solicit copulations from the resident female if her mate is absent.
Before the breeding season begins, the females assess the strength and vitality of surrounding males. A key clue is the intensity of their back color; the more intense, the stronger the male and a better father for her offspring he might be. When preparing to lay eggs, she will go before dawn into the territory of her chosen male and mate with him. She still mates with her paired male, but the genetic analyses of the young in a clutch show that most broods have mixed fathers. Holding a home is the most important thing, even if it means pairing between offspring and parent or between siblings.
First one, then the other Red-backed Fairywren dropped from the grass stem and went back to flitting through the thicket, probably looking for insects or spiders. This was September, and nesting may well be underway.
#Australiabirds #birdphotography #Queenslandbirds #BirdingAustralia #birding
