this non-breeding male Superb Fairy- wren, displayed a strange behaviour, as you can see in the photo, he ducked down and puffed up his throat. He didn't sing or make any noise. Holly would know what the meaning of this is? I had not seen this before. Any idea?
this is the puffed up male: 
Wow, that's amazing. I've never heard of or seen a wren bluffing before (except when nesting).
- soakes
soakes
Olinda, Victoria, Australia
Thanks for your answer soakes, I find this so very interesting. So you have seen this kind behaviour in breeding males??
I have one more photo of this bird. I noticed him, because even his pale colour seemed unusual. His body language was different to any of the other wrens, male and female, that were close by in the same grasses. He started by elongating his body as you can clearly see in the photo, and then he crouched and started to bluff.
Here is a photo of the first phase of this display:
M-L
Araminta, thanks to your keen observation & photography of, not to mention passion for, superb fairy wrens these behaviours are coming to light - at least to whatever light I have since I've never noticed them before. I'm interested in any observations others may have.
Hmm - thats really interesting behaviour M-L! What has stumped me is that he is in non-breeding plumage so it is unlikely that he is trying to impress the ladies (though he very well may be). Usually all the boys have changed by now - I would think that this is a young male in his first year of breeding. He may simply be practicing some bravado or he seriously thinks he may be in with a shot LOL
I will need to grab the Fairy-wrens and Grasswrens book from our office when I get a chance and have a read.
No, I haven't, but I have heard of them trying to distract attention from their nests before.
- soakes
soakes
Olinda, Victoria, Australia
I know what you are talking about soakes, I have see them do the "rodent-run" to distract from their nest. It was so fast, that I did think it was a mouse. ( Holly explained it to me later) I tried to take photos of it, but they all ended up blurry. Hope to catch them doing this strange looking run this breeding season.
There are so many wonderful behaviours of my favourite little bird to discover yet. I might buy the book Holly mentioned, Fairy-wrens and Grasswrens.
M-L
M-L, in a few more seasons you will have enough photos and material to do a book on the wrens around your place. This is fascinating and is a behaviour you are lucky to have seen. Please, keep it up, and keep a file, just in case you do a book in the future.
Karen
Brisbane southside.
Thanks everyone for your encouragement, I think I have seen one location where they have started to build a nest. I won't be able to see it though, just like last time it is in some very thick native grasses. We will all have to wait for the young .
M-L
Yes bird behaviour, more time is needed to find out the little things that go unnoticed . Well done .
See it! Hear it!
Mid-North Coast NSW