Birds Superb Fairy Wren in breeding plumage early winter?

[AlphaWorld]

I don't think there's any doubt that this is a male Superb Fairy Wren in breeding plumage.

The strange part is that I took this shot today - last day of the first month of winter, and they are normally in breeding plumage between September and January (Spring to mid-Summer). He should be brown at this time of year!

Maybe he had trouble reading his calendar? Or his brown suit got ruined at the cleaners?

This is roughly 1600x1600 cropped from a 6000x4000 frame from the A9III. Shot at f/5.6, 1/500. ISO 1600 using the 300 GM

 

[Richard A]

They are beautiful little birds and not easy to photograph because they rarely stay still. Nature here is a bit skew-if because of the very warm, dry autumn we had.

I'm going on a bit of a road trip at the end of winter so I have been doing a bit of research on where to find some different bird species.

 

[Uncle Kevriano]

Awesome birds. Nice pic

 

[AlphaWorld]

They are beautiful little birds and not easy to photograph because they rarely stay still. Nature here is a bit skew-if because of the very warm, dry autumn we had.

I'm going on a bit of a road trip at the end of winter so I have been doing a bit of research on where to find some different bird species.

That might explain it.

Now it’s cold, and it has been rather wet - this poor bird must be wondering “what the heck has happened?”

 

[Ralph]

They are beautiful little birds and not easy to photograph because they rarely stay still. Nature here is a bit skew-if because of the very warm, dry autumn we had.

I'm going on a bit of a road trip at the end of winter so I have been doing a bit of research on where to find some different bird species.

In my area of Mildura we have got our fair share of Wren type birds here.
Some can be see regular while some you have to be in the right spot at the right time.
If you do an eBird search of the area you could find it useful.

 

[Richard A]

If you do an eBird search of the area you could find it useful.

Thanks Ralph. I'll have a look at that.

 

[Slug]

Not too strange I think, I've noticed adult males colored up all year round! (Tasmania)

 

[Ralph]

Not too strange I think, I've noticed adult males colored up all year round! (Tasmania)

The fairy-wren in my area are moving into their eclipse mode here now.
Which for me is a blessing, as I can ID them far easier once in full colour over looking like the female's.