The white-shouldered fairywren is a species of bird in the Australasian wren family, Maluridae. It is found in New Guinea.
Region
New Guinea
Typical Environment
Occurs widely across the lowlands and foothills of New Guinea on both the Papua New Guinea and Indonesian sides of the island. It favors open and semi-open habitats such as tall grasslands, savanna, scrub, forest edge, secondary growth, and village gardens. Birds keep close to cover, moving through rank grass, bushes, and vine tangles. It is tolerant of moderate habitat disturbance and can be common near human-modified areas.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Males are strikingly black with bright white shoulder patches, while females are typically brown; however, some New Guinea populations show unusually ornamented females, making this species a notable case for studying variation in sexual dimorphism. It forages low in dense vegetation and often flicks its tail while moving. Like many fairywrens, it lives in small groups and may practice cooperative breeding.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually found in pairs or small family groups that maintain territories year-round. Nests are domed or oval structures placed low in dense grass or shrubs. Cooperative helpers may assist breeding pairs in some populations.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
High, thin trills and rapid tinkling phrases delivered from low perches within cover. Contact calls are sharp chips or ticks used to keep the group coordinated.
Plumage
Male glossy black with prominent white shoulder patches and white wing coverts; females mostly warm brown above with paler buffy underparts and rufous-tinged tail, though some populations have darker, more male-like females.
Diet
Primarily small arthropods such as insects and spiders. It gleans prey from leaves, stems, and the ground, and occasionally makes short sallies to catch flushed insects. Foraging is typically low in the vegetation strata and often in small groups.
Preferred Environment
Dense grass, scrub, and edges where open patches meet cover. Common along forest margins, overgrown clearings, and village gardens with tangled undergrowth.
