Red-backed Fairywren

1. Breeding males: black body with a red or orange-red back and rump

2. Females and non-breeding males: warm brown above, pale below, plain face

3. Short, square-tipped tail, typically held upright

4. Smallest Australian fairy-wren species

Red-backed Fairy-wrens are cooperative breeders, often forming small family groups where young males may help raise chicks. Nests are dome-shaped and built low in dense grass. Females lay 2–3 eggs, mainly between August and January. The species primarily feeds on insects such as beetles and ants, foraging at all levels of vegetation. Fire is a significant threat, as birds avoid recently burnt areas and seek refuge along creek lines when grasslands are burned. Socially, these birds are monogamous but both sexes may mate outside the pair bond, and duetting between pairs is linked to higher paternity success

Red-backed Fairy-wrens inhabit tall grasslands, savanna woodlands, swamp edges, and coastal heathlands from the Kimberley region across northern Australia to Cape York and down the east coast into northeastern New South Wales. They are most often seen in small groups moving through dense grass, especially at dawn. Listen for their soft, high-pitched “ssst” or “zzt” calls as they forage. During the breeding season, males may perch on exposed stems above the grass, making them easier to spot.

Red-backed Fairy-wrens have adapted to Australia’s fire-prone grasslands, resulting in two recognized subspecies with distinct back colors and tail lengths[`2`](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-backed_fairywren). They are considered indicators of healthy, unburnt grassland habitats. Their adaptability allows them to persist in modified environments, including gardens and roadsides, where they remain a familiar sight.