The life history of the Superb Blue Wren, Malurus cyaneus

Abstract

A completely colour-banded population of these small, sociable, multi-brooded passerines of the sub-family Malurinae was studied for more than four years at Gungahlin, Canberra, A.C.T. Their plumage, behaviour, song, breeding biology and population dynamics are discussed with particular reference to the persistence of the young-of-the-year within the family group throughout the winter, the consequent problems of dispersion and, ultimately, the frequent occurrence of more than one mature mule in the breeding group. It is suggested that this apparent polyandry enables the species to be reproductively more successful within the limits of a variable climate.