The red-backed fairywren (Malurus melanocephalus) is a species in the Australasian wren family, Maluridae. It is endemic to Australia and can be found near rivers and coastal areas along the northern and eastern coastlines from the Kimberley in the northwest to the Hunter Region in New South Wales. Most males adopt a striking breeding plumage, with brown wings, a brightly coloured red back, and a black head, upperparts and tail. Females, juveniles, and some males have brownish upperparts and paler underparts. The species mainly eats insects, and supplements its diet with seed and small fruits. The preferred habitat is heathland and savannah, particularly where low shrubs and tall grasses provide cover. A group consists of a socially monogamous pair with one or more grown offspring who assist in raising the young. The red-backed fairywren is sexually promiscuous, and each partner may mate with other individuals. As part of a courtship display, the male wren plucks red petals from flowers and displays them to females.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-backed_fairywren

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1749:

The first issue of Berlingske, Denmark's oldest continually operating newspaper, was published. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlingske

1777:

American Revolutionary War: American forces under General George Washington defeated British troops at the Battle of Princeton (pictured). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Princeton

1919:

Emir Faisal of Iraq signed an agreement with Zionist leader Chaim Weizmann on the development of a Jewish homeland in Palestine and an Arab nation in a large part of the Middle East. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faisal%E2%80%93Weizmann_Agreement

1976:

The multilateral International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, part of the International Bill of Human Rights, came into effect. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Covenant_on_Economic,_Social_and_Cultural_Rights

1990:

United States invasion of Panama: General Manuel Noriega, the deposed "strongman of Panama", surrendered to American forces. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manuel_Noriega

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

quacksalver: (archaic) One falsely claiming to possess medical or other skills, especially one who dispenses potions, ointments, etc., supposedly having curative powers; a quack. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/quacksalver

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

The news today about "Atomic bombs" is so horrifying one is stunned. The utter folly of these lunatic physicists to consent to do such work for war-purposes: calmly plotting the destruction of the world! Such explosives in men's hands, while their moral and intellectual status is declining, is about as useful as giving out firearms to all inmates of a gaol and then saying that you hope "this will ensure peace". ... Well we're in God's hands. But He does not look kindly on Babel-builders.   --J. R. R. Tolkien https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/J._R._R._Tolkien