Description
The Mallee Emu Wren is an average 16.5 cm from head to tail (Higgins et al. 2001). (6.5 in.) The adult male Mallee Emu-wren has olive-brown upperparts with dark streaks, and a pale rufous unstreaked crown, and grey-brown wings. It has a sky blue throat, upper chest, lores and ear coverts. The lores and ear coverts are streaked with black, and there is white streaking under the eye. Though still long, the tail is not as long as in other emu-wrens, and is composed of six filamentous feathers, the central two of which are longer than the lateral ones. The underparts are pale brown. The bill is black, and the feet and eyes are brown. The female resembles the male but lacks blue plumage. Its crown is paler red and it has white lores. Its bill is dark brown. The Mallee Emu-wren moults yearly after breeding, and birds have only the one plumage. The most recognizable and identifiable feature is the six emu like feathers on its tail. This feature is highly distinguishable from other species found in its home range (Higgins et al. 2001).
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