Rhipidura cyaniceps
The Blue-headed Fantail (Rhipidura cyaniceps) is a captivating, small passerine bird endemic to the Philippines, distinguished by its vibrant, glossy blue head. Measuring approximately 15-16 cm (5.9-6.3 in) in length, including its characteristically long, often fanned tail, it exhibits a striking contrast of dark greyish-blue upperparts and a rufous-chestnut lower back and rump. Its throat and upper breast are blackish-blue, transitioning to a lighter bluish-grey on the lower breast and bell...
Inhabits montane and submontane broadleaf and mossy forests, preferring the understory and lower canopy, typically at elevations between 800 to 2,000 meters (2,600 to 6,600 ft).
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on a wide variety of small flying insects, their larvae, and spiders, which are captured through aerial hawking and gleaning from vegetation.
The Blue-headed Fantail is a perpetually restless and highly active diurnal bird, constantly flitting and twisting through the forest undergrowth and lower canopy. Its foraging strategy involves agile aerial hawking, where it makes rapid, acrobatic sallies to snatch flying insects, alongside glea...
The Blue-headed Fantail is exclusively found throughout the Philippines, exhibiting a disjunct distribution across several of its major islands. Its primary range includes Luzon, Mindanao, Samar, Leyte, Negros, Panay, Cebu, and Catanduanes. Three subspecies are currently recognized: *Rhipidura cy...
Least Concern
- The Blue-headed Fantail is entirely endemic to the Philippines, making it a unique avian gem for the archipelago. - Its scientific name, *cyaniceps*, is derived from Latin, literally meaning 'blue-headed', a perfect description of its most distinctive feature. - This bird is renowned for its in...