A photo of a Grey Fantail (Rhipidura albiscapa)
Grey Fantail

Grey Fantail

Rhipidura albiscapa

The grey fantail (Rhipidura albiscapa) is a small insectivorous bird. There is no sexual dimorphism. It is a common fantail found in Australia, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia. The species is considered by many to be conspecific with the New Zealand fantail (Rhipidura fuliginosa); however, differences in its calls lead some authorities to treat it as a separate species. The studies of grey fantail in 1999 by Richard Schodde and Ian Mason recommended that Tasmanian grey fantail was formally classified as R. albiscapa and New Zealand fantails populations as R. fuliginosa. This species is mid-to-dark grey or grey-brown above, lighter (often yellowish/orange) below, with a white throat, white markings over the eye, and with (depending on the race) either white-edged or entirely white outer tail feathers. It grows to 16 cm (6.3 in) in length, of which half is the tail, which, as the name implies, is often displayed fanned out. This reveals that the outer tail feathers are light and the centre ones are dark. Some races, such as keasti, have a darker plumage.
Birda logo
Download Birda for free and join the community of curious everyday people connecting with the natural world
Birda logo
Download Birda for free and join the community

Grey Fantails on Birda

Photos

Sightings

A map showing the sighting location
🦢
Rachel Mete
Friday 10 Mar 2023 - 11:06pm
Australia
A photo of a Grey Fantail photographed in Chaffin Hill Australia
🦢
Brendan Fischer
Thursday 02 Mar 2023 - 4:49pm
Australia
A map showing the sighting location
🦢
Nat Starr
Monday 20 Feb 2023 - 10:02am
Australia
A map showing the sighting location
🦅
Andrew Millar
Saturday 18 Feb 2023 - 9:40pm
Australia
Connect with nature,
Find your flock
Copyright © 2023 Chirp Birding Ltd. All rights reserved.