The resilience of the iconic Australian birds—purple-crowned fairywrens—who were found alive and well four months after extreme flooding despite all their nests being washed away is noteworthy, according to researchers.
The Western Australian floodings at the start of the year brought heavy rain and swelled the nearby Fitzroy River to nearly 15.81 meters (52 feet) high, causing large-scale devastation, including the mass loss of life and habitat for the native wildlife in the area.
But the small, social birds were found mostly safe in their usual habitats of dense vegetation along the riverbeds and creeks.
“Although the fairywrens have taken a bit of a hit from the flood, they are doing well considering,” Monash University PhD student Ian Hoppe said….