Redback Painted Malure (lat. Malurus melanocephalus ) Is one of the types of malure of the Malure family.
1. Description
In comparison with other species of the genus Malur, this species has a pronounced sexual dimorphism. The male has a small set of plumage colors. It has a black head, lower part and tail, and the wings are pale brown with a small wide stripe. The female, like all the other twelve species of Malur, is monotonous: a brown top and a pale brown bottom (abdomen and breast). The male ready for mating is black, and the young males have a comparatively the same color as the female.
The species distinguishes between two subspecies: nominative - M. m. melanocephalus, lives in eastern Australia and has a shorter tail and orange back color and M. m. cruentatus - from northern Australia with a longer tail and red back.
2. Distribution and habitat
Red-backed Painted Malur is an endemic to Australia that lives in areas near rivers. It occurs along the northern and eastern borders of Australia, namely from Kimberley (northwest Australia) to Hunter region (N.S.W).
The favorite habitat is the steppe and savanna, with low bushes and tall grass. In areas with an increased fire of vegetation, these birds wander in small flocks.
3. Nutrition
The red-backed painted malyur feeds mainly on insects, but occasionally dilutes its diet by eating seeds and berries.
