Rhipidura albicollis
The White-throated Fantail (Rhipidura albicollis) is a lively and unmistakable passerine bird, renowned for its almost ceaseless activity and distinctive tail fanning. Measuring approximately 17-20 cm in length, including its long, often fanned tail, it sports a generally dark sooty-grey to blackish plumage offset by a brilliant white throat patch and a prominent white supercilium (eyebrow). This medium-sized Old World flycatcher belongs to the family Rhipiduridae, sharing close lineage with ...
It primarily inhabits broadleaf forests, deciduous woodlands, secondary growth, and well-wooded gardens, often near water sources. It can be found from sea level up to mid-montane elevations, typically between 300 to 2500 meters.
The White-throated Fantail feeds almost exclusively on a variety of small to medium-sized insects, including flies, moths, beetles, and small hymenopterans. It primarily forages by aerial hawking and gleaning from foliage.
The White-throated Fantail is a highly diurnal and exceptionally active bird, constantly flitting, twisting, and fanning its tail even when perched. Its primary foraging strategy is "flush-pursuit," where it hawks insects in mid-air, often using its broad, fanned tail to steer and abruptly change...
The White-throated Fantail boasts a vast distribution across the Oriental region, encompassing the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and southern China. Its breeding range stretches from the Himalayan foothills (including Nepal, Bhutan) across India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, extending eastwa...
Least Concern
- The White-throated Fantail’s tail can make up almost half of its total body length, making it surprisingly agile. - Its characteristic constant fanning and wagging of its tail serves a dual purpose: flushing out hidden insects and acting as an aerodynamic brake during its acrobatic pursuit flig...