THE BREEDING BIOLOGY OF THE WHITE-WINGED FAIRY-WREN MALURUS-LEUCOPTERUS-LEUCONOTUS IN A WESTERN-AUSTRALIAN COASTAL HEATHLAND

A population of the White-winged Fairy-wren Malurus leucopterus leucon otus was studied at Pipidinny in coastal heathland on the northern edg e of Perth (31 degrees 35'S, 115 degrees 41'E) over four breeding seas ons (1987-90). From 49 nesting attempts we banded 101 nestlings; in to tal 187 birds were individually colour-banded. Our data agree with oth er studies that show males do not acquire their full brilliant blue pl umage with white wings until they are three years old. At many nesting attempts, the female was partnered by a brown plumaged male; fully bl ue males were rare. Eggs were laid from August to December; mean clutc h size was 3.5, incubation lasted 14-15 days and nestlings fledged at 10-11 days. Predation was rare and breeding success high (81%). Data o n social organisation is presented and the need for analysis of parent age stressed.