Malurus is a genus of passerine birds in the Australasian wren family, Maluridae.

Taxonomy

The genus Malurus was introduced in 1816 by the French ornithologist Louis Vieillot to accommodate a single species, Motacilla cyanea Latham, the superb fairywren. This is the type species. The genus name combines the Ancient Greek μαλος/malos meaning "soft" or "delicate" with ουρα/oura meaning "tail".

Species

The genus contains 12 species:

Former species

Some authorities, either presently or formerly, recognize several additional species as belonging to the genus Malurus including:

• Wallace's fairywren (as Malurus wallacei and Malurus wallacii)

• Broad-billed fairywren (as Malurus grayi)

• Campbell's fairywren (as Malurus campbelli)

References

• Del Hoyo, J.; Elliot, A. & Christie D. (editors). (2007). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 12: Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees. Lynx Edicions.