Rhipidura cockerelli
The White-winged Fantail (Rhipidura cockerelli) is a small, exceedingly active passerine bird, instantly recognizable by its striking white wing panels that contrast sharply with its otherwise dark, often sooty-black or dark grey plumage. Measuring approximately 17-18 centimeters in length and weighing a mere 12-15 grams, it possesses a characteristic long, dark tail which is frequently fanned and flicked. A subtle white throat or chin patch often adds to its distinct appearance. This species...
Inhabits tropical and subtropical moist lowland forests, often found along forest edges, in secondary growth, and near streams or swampy areas. Typically observed from sea level up to around 1,000 meters elevation.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on small flying insects such as mosquitoes, flies, beetles, and moths, which it catches deftly on the wing.
The White-winged Fantail is an exceptionally active aerial insectivore, ceaselessly darting and weaving through the lower and mid-canopy, sallying from perches to hawk flying insects in mid-air with remarkable agility. Its characteristic tail-fanning, a hallmark of the fantail family, is crucial ...
The White-winged Fantail is endemic to the Southwest Pacific, with its distribution centered across the Solomon Islands, the Bismarck Archipelago, and parts of Papua New Guinea. Within Papua New Guinea, it is found on New Britain, New Ireland, and several smaller adjacent islands. Its range exten...
Least Concern
- The White-winged Fantail's specific epithet "cockerelli" honors British ornithologist John Cockerell. - Unlike many fantail species, its prominent white wing patches make it one of the easiest fantails to identify in its range. - It is a "master of the air," capable of rapid aerial maneuvers an...