Variegated Fairywren

A small, skulking songbird of dense heath, coastal scrub and woodland understory across much of Australia, with breeding males showing bright blue and chestnut plumage against otherwise dull brown females and juveniles. Family groups forage low in thick cover, hopping between shrubs with tails cocked, and are usually detected by their thin, buzzing contact calls before they are seen. Early morning visits to scrubby habitat give the best chance of a male in full colour.