Fortunately this beautiful bird has adapted well to gardens and other habitats, particularly where protective shrubs abound. They live in pairs or small parties that assist in the rearing of multiple broods each spring. Only breeding males have the distinctive blue colouring, while females, immatures and non-breeding males are a mousy tone.

They feed on small insects and ants found on the ground and low foliage. They like prickly bushes for nesting, which help to protect them from predators, but will use clumps of ferns and grasses. They build small domed shaped nests of grass and lay three to four reddish-white brown spotted eggs.

Size: 13-14cm

First Photo: Female, Second Photo: Male, Third Photo: Nest. Photos and Illustration: Mark Trinham.