| Malurus | |
|---|---|
_male_South_Bruny.jpg) | |
| Malesuperb fairywren | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Maluridae |
| Genus: | Malurus Vieillot, 1816 |
| Type species | |
| Motacilla cyanea[1] Ellis, 1782 | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Malurus is a genus ofpasserine birds in theAustralasian wren family, Maluridae.
The genusMalurus was introduced in 1816 by the French ornithologistLouis Vieillot to accommodate a single species,Motacilla cyaneaLatham, thesuperb fairywren. This is thetype species.[2][3] The genus name combines theAncient Greek μαλος/malos meaning "soft" or "delicate" with ουρα/oura meaning "tail".[4]
The genus contains 12 species:[5]
| Image | Scientific name | Common name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Malurus cyanocephalus | Emperor fairywren | New Guinea |
 | Malurus amabilis | Lovely fairywren | North-eastern Australia |
 | Malurus assimilis | Purple-backed fairywren | Central and Western Australia |
 | Malurus lamberti | Variegated fairywren | Eastern Australia |
_of_Kings_Park%2c_Perth_Western_Australia.jpg) | Malurus pulcherrimus | Blue-breasted fairywren | SouthernWestern Australia and theEyre Peninsula inSouth Australia |
 | Malurus elegans | Red-winged fairywren | South-western corner of Western Australia |
 | Malurus cyaneus | Superb fairywren | Australia and lowland New Guinea |
 | Malurus splendens | Splendid fairywren | Central and Western Australia |
 | Malurus coronatus | Purple-crowned fairywren | Northern Australia |
 | Malurus alboscapulatus | White-shouldered fairywren | New Guinea |
 | Malurus melanocephalus | Red-backed fairywren | Australia |
 | Malurus leucopterus | White-winged fairywren | CentralQueensland and South Australia across to Western Australia |
Some authorities, either presently or formerly, recognize several additional species as belonging to the genusMalurus including:
