Rhipidura fuscorufa
The Cinnamon-tailed Fantail (Rhipidura fuscorufa) is an exquisitely agile and perpetually active songbird, endemic to the Tanimbar Islands of Indonesia. Measuring approximately 15-18 cm in length, including its distinctive long, fanned tail, and weighing a mere 8-12 grams, this species is immediately recognizable by its striking rufous-cinnamon tail, which is often fanned widely, especially during foraging. Its upperparts are a warm rufous-brown, contrasting with a clean white throat, a narro...
This species primarily inhabits the understory and mid-story of tropical moist lowland forests, secondary growth, and forest edges, typically from sea level up to around 200 meters.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on small flying insects such as mosquitoes, flies, beetles, and moths, which are caught on the wing by aerial hawking.
Cinnamon-tailed Fantails are diurnal and exceptionally active, rarely perching for more than a few seconds, even when roosting. Their foraging strategy involves relentless pursuit of insects, often launching short, acrobatic flights from exposed perches to hawk prey mid-air, accompanied by consta...
The Cinnamon-tailed Fantail is strictly endemic to the Tanimbar Islands archipelago in Indonesia, a small group of islands located in the Banda Sea. Its primary distribution includes larger islands such as Yamdena, Larat, and Selaru, as well as several smaller surrounding islets. This species is ...
Near Threatened
- The Cinnamon-tailed Fantail is an 'island endemic,' meaning it is found exclusively on the Tanimbar Islands in Indonesia and nowhere else in the world. - Its scientific name, 'fuscorufa,' directly translates to 'dusky rufous,' perfectly describing its coloration. - Fantails get their name from ...