Rhipidura teysmanni
The Sulawesi Fantail (*Rhipidura teysmanni*) is a small (14-17 cm), highly active passerine endemic to the Indonesian island of Sulawesi and its satellite islands. It is characterized by its slender build, dark slate-grey to sooty-brown plumage, and a distinctive rufous-cinnamon belly and vent. Key field marks include a prominent white supercilium that extends behind the eye, a contrasting white throat and chin, and a long, graduated tail often fanned, revealing white tips on the outer rectri...
Found in a variety of forest types, including primary and secondary lowland and montane forest, forest edges, and dense undergrowth, ranging from sea level up to at least 2,000 meters.
Exclusively insectivorous, feeding on a wide array of small arthropods, including flies, beetles, moths, and spiders, primarily caught through aerial hawking or gleaning.
The Sulawesi Fantail is a perpetually active, diurnal bird, constantly flitting through the understory and mid-canopy. Its primary foraging strategy involves a highly acrobatic combination of aerial hawking and gleaning, often hovering briefly to snatch insects. A characteristic behavior is the r...
The Sulawesi Fantail (*Rhipidura teysmanni*) is strictly endemic to the Indonesian island of Sulawesi and several surrounding smaller islands, displaying a non-migratory, resident distribution. Its range encompasses Sulawesi proper, as well as Buton, Muna, Peleng, Banggai, and the Sula Islands (T...
Least Concern
- One of over 50 species in the diverse fantail family (Rhipiduridae), renowned for their active foraging. - Its characteristic tail-fanning is not merely for display but a clever hunting technique to startle and flush insects. - Often referred to as 'jungle acrobats' due to their highly agile an...