Grey Fantail

FAMILY NAME:    Dicruridae    SCIENTIFIC NAME:    Rhipidura fuliginosa

SUBSPECIES:   5 or 6 (one possibly a seperate species).

SIZE:     15 to 17cm.   (6 to 7") tip to tail.

LOCATION:   Common and found over almost the entire continent of Australia, with each race having its own range and ranges overlapping.

BREEDING:   Breeding season is from June to January, laying from 2 to 3 eggs. Both the male and female nest build, incubate and feed their young. The nests are of wine glass shape and are constructed from grass and spider web, usually located in a branch fork 3m to 5m from the ground.

GENERAL:   These birds forage for food amongst the understorey in forests, catching insects on the wing. When perched, they often fan their tail open and sway it from side to side. Colours and markings vary between races. Race alisteri  has black legs, eye and bill. Back is mid-grey, white eyebrow, ear and throat. Breast is mottled grey, underside is cream. Tail feathers are mid grey tipped white except central pair, shafts are white. Race phasiana  or "mangrove fantail" is found along the north/western coastal regions and may be a seperate species.

References:
Michael Morecombe. Field Guide to Australian Birds, Complete Compact Edtion.
Ken Simpson - Nicholas Day. The Birds of Australia.
M. Blakers - S. J. J. F. Davies - P. N. Reilly. The Atlas of Australian Birds.
Birds in Backyards.   www.birdsinbackyards.net