Alice Springs Waste Stabilisation Ponds

The Splendid Fairy-wren (Malurus splendens) is found mainly in the semi-arid and arid regions of Australia. The brilliant blue colouration of this fairy-wren is the breeding plumage of the male of the species.

Splendid Fairy-wren (Malurus splendens), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer
Splendid Fairy-wren (Malurus splendens), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer

The non-breeding males, juveniles and females of the species are predominantly grey, brown upper and buff to white underneath. The males display a blue wash on their wings and tail, whilst the female a pale red line running from beak to eye. The splendid fairy-wren has a long tail and grows to about 13 cm.

Check out our Birds | Australasian Wrens | Splendid Fairy-wren (Malurus splendens)


  • Scientific classification
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Aves
  • Order: Passeriformes
  • Family: Maluridae
  • Genus: Malurus
  • Species: Malurus splendens

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