White-throated Fantail

The White-throated Fantail, Rhipidura albicollis, presents itself as a small passerine of notable grace. Measuring approximately 19 cm in length, it boasts a distinctive dark, fan-shaped tail with white edges, a white supercilium, and a white throat. The plumage varies among its subspecies, but most are akin to the Himalayan R. a. canescans, with a primarily slate grey coloration above and below, a stark black eye mask, and the aforementioned white throat and eyebrow.

Identification Tips

When attempting to identify this bird, look for the characteristic white throat and supercilium, as well as the dark tail edged in white. The bird's overall slate grey plumage and black eye mask are also key features. Be mindful of the variation in plumage between the different races.

Habitat

The White-throated Fantail is found in a variety of environments, including forests, scrubs, and areas of cultivation.

Distribution

This species has a wide range across tropical southern Asia, from the Himalayas through India and Bangladesh, extending eastward to Indonesia.

Behaviour

Intriguingly, the White-throated Fantail is known to fan its tail as it navigates the undergrowth. It constructs a small cup nest in a tree where it lays three eggs. The bird is insectivorous, actively foraging for its prey.

Song & Calls

The song of the White-throated Fantail is a consistent feature in its life, with small changes occurring progressively each year. Over a period of 4–5 years, these changes accumulate, resulting in a song that sounds quite different from its original form. The male's call is particularly useful for detection and identification, especially in areas where it coexists with similar species.

Breeding

The breeding behavior includes the laying of three eggs, which are white with a band of brown spots around the middle, closer to the base. The eggs measure approximately 2 cm in length.

Similar Species

The White-throated Fantail can be confused with the White-browed Fantail, R. aureola, where their ranges overlap. The latter species has light underparts and prominent spots in two rows on the wings.

Diet and Feeding

As an insectivorous bird, the White-throated Fantail actively searches for insects in the undergrowth, often using its fanned tail to flush out prey.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List has classified the White-throated Fantail as Least Concern, indicating that it currently faces no significant threats to its survival.

Subspecies

There are nine recognized subspecies of the White-throated Fantail, as per the International Ornithological Congress (IOC). These subspecies vary slightly in their plumage and are distributed across different geographical regions within the bird's range.