Purple-Crowned Fairywren

The Purple-Crowned Fairywren (Malurus coronatus) is a species of bird in the Australasian wren family, Maluridae. It is indigenous to northern Australia and the largest of the Malurus genus' eleven species. Due to the characteristic purple circle of crown feathers worn by breeding males, the species name is derived from the Latin word cǒrōna, meaning "crown". Genetic evidence shows that the purple-crowned fairywren is most closely related to the superb fairywren and splendid fairywren.

Adult males grow the stunning brilliant purple feathers on their crown during the breeding season. This has a black face mask around it, and the top of the head is topped with an oblong black mark. The male's colorful crown is replaced by grey/brown feathers during the non-breeding season, as does the black mask, which has off-white to pale grey orbital rings and black cheek patches. The mature female, however, differs in that she has chestnut-colored ear-coverts and a greenish-blue tail. Male birds begin to display black feathers on the forehead by six to nine months, although immature birds have duller coloring, a brown crown, and a longer tail.