Rhipidura (Rhipidura) fuliginosa
New Zealand Fantail
©David Cook: New Zealand Fantail (Rhipidura (Rhipidura) fuliginosa), Oban, Stewart Island, New Zealand
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Rhipiduridae
Genus
Rhipidura
Species
Rhipidura (Rhipidura) fuliginosa
Status
least concern
Colours
Distinguishing features
This fantail is mid to dark grey or grey-brown above, yellowish/orange below, with a white throat, white markings over the eye, and (depending on the race) either white-edged or entirely white outer tail feathers. It grows to 16 centimetres 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 that are light and the centre ones are dark. Some subspecies are found in a darker plumage, notably the "Black fantail" morph seen in up to 25% of South Island birds and less than 1% of North Island birds (it is completely absent from the Chatham Islands). (Wikipedia)
Size
- Up to 16 cm (Length of specimen)
Wingspan
- Wingspan data is not yet available.
Synonyms
Similar taxa
Distribution
Local abundance
- Cape Kidnappers, New Zealand: abundant
