Rhipidura nigritorquis
The Philippine Pied Fantail, Rhipidura nigritorquis, is an enchanting and highly active passerine bird endemic to the Philippines, renowned for its striking black-and-white plumage and characteristic fanned tail. Measuring approximately 18-19 cm in length, including its long tail, this small bird features a glossy black head, nape, and upperparts, sharply contrasted by a prominent white supercilium (eyebrow) and a pure white throat. A distinct broad black band stretches across its chest, sepa...
Primarily inhabits lowland and mid-montane forests, forest edges, secondary growth, plantations, cultivated areas, and gardens, typically up to 1,500 meters in elevation.
Feeds almost exclusively on small to medium-sized insects and other arthropods, primarily caught in flight (aerial hawking) or gleaned from foliage.
This fantail is ceaselessly active, a diurnal aerial insectivore constantly flitting and twisting through the undergrowth and lower canopy. Its foraging strategy is highly dynamic, involving aerial hawking of insects, gleaning from foliage, and often associating with larger animals or humans to c...
The Philippine Pied Fantail is endemic to the Philippines, boasting a wide distribution across the archipelago. It is commonly found on most major islands, including Luzon, Mindoro, Palawan, Sibuyan, all the Visayan islands (such as Panay, Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, and Samar), and Mindanao, as ...
Least Concern
- The Philippine Pied Fantail's scientific name, `nigritorquis`, translates from Latin to 'black collar', referring to its prominent black breast band. - Its constant tail fanning is not just a visual display; it's a hunting technique used to startle and flush out hidden insects from dense foliag...