The breeding male adopts a brilliantly coloured breeding plumage, with an iridescent silvery-blue crown, ear coverts and upper back, red shoulders, contrasting with a black throat, grey-brown tail and wings and pale underparts. Non-breeding males, females and juveniles have predominantly grey-brown plumage, though males may bear isolated blue and black feathers.
it is a cooperative breeding species, with small groups of birds maintaining and defending small territories year-round. Groups consist of a socially monogamous pair with several helper birds who assist in raising the young. The breeding season is shorter than that of other fairywrens, occurring from October through to December. The female incubates the eggs alone for around an hour at a time, after which the male calls her and she will leave to forage urgently for 15–30 minutes before returning.
The Red-winged Fairy-wren feeds on insects with a thin pointed bill that has adapted to poking and capturing their prey. The bird finds shelter and avoids predators in the common eucalyptus tree.