Rhipidura matthiae
The Mussau Fantail, Rhipidura matthiae, is a strikingly dark and highly active passerine, endemic to the remote Mussau Island. This small bird, measuring approximately 14-15 cm in length, is characterized by its uniformly sooty-brown to blackish plumage, lacking the distinct white markings often seen in its fantail relatives. Its most notable feature is a long, broad, and constantly fanned tail, which is essential to its agile foraging style. Unlike many other fantails, it possesses no promin...
Exclusively found in primary and tall secondary lowland forest on Mussau Island, typically frequenting the dense understory and mid-canopy strata.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on a variety of small flying insects such such as gnats, mosquitoes, and small moths, captured almost exclusively during aerial sallies.
The Mussau Fantail is an exceptionally restless and active diurnal species, almost perpetually in motion. It employs a distinctive foraging strategy, continuously fanning its long tail and flicking it from side to side while perching or making short, agile flights through the forest understory. T...
The Mussau Fantail is strictly endemic to Mussau Island (historically known as St. Matthias Island), the largest island in the St. Matthias Group of the Bismarck Archipelago, Papua New Guinea. Its entire global distribution is confined to this single, relatively small island. It is found year-rou...
Vulnerable
- This species is a true island endemic, found nowhere else in the world except Mussau Island, Papua New Guinea. - Its scientific name, *matthiae*, refers to its type locality, St. Matthias Island, which is the historical name for Mussau Island. - The constant fanning and flicking of its tail is ...