New Zealand Grey Fantail
Rhipidura fuliginosa
-38.6647, 175.923
Field Notes
Description:
This small native NZ bird (15-18cm long) is very similar in habit to the Pied Wagtail found commonly in Britain - however, as the name suggests, this bird fans its tail, in flight and at rest, rather than 'wagging' it.
They Grey Fantail is the most southerly of the Fantail species which range across Australiasia. There are two colour morphs of the Grey Fantail in NZ, a rare black and the more common pied fantail as pictured here. The fanned white tail is very distinctive. A grey/brown upper body and creamy coloured chest, is accentuated with white stripes above and behind the eye, as well as one under the beak. They are impossible to confuse with any other NZ bird, due to their unique tail fan and the fact that you will normally see them within a couple of metres. They are one of the most sociable birds in NZ, and will normally come close to 'greet' you as you pass through their patch. They tend to be very vocal and communicate in a string of 'cheeps' and 'tweeta-tweeta-tweeta' which if mimicked, they will usually respond to, and approach closer. Main diet is small insects and invertebrates.
Habitat:
The three sub-species of Fantail (North Island, South Island, Chatham Island) are widely distributed across NZ. They can be found in almost any habitat scrub, native or exotic trees, parks gardens. They will feed flitting amongst the trees but also on the ground. They would appear to move around following food sources as they can be absent for several months of the year and then seen regularly for extended periods.
Notes:
These are one of my favourite birds. They are completely unafraid of humans and always very inquisitive. They come so close you almost feel as if they might land on you - never have to date!
Only one image here because they almost never stop and so are quite tricky to take a focussed photo of!
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