The Arafura fantail, sometimes known as the wood fantail, inhabits the Lesser Sunda Islands, the northern coast of Australia from the Kimberley to the western side of the Cape York Peninsula, including subcoastally in the Top End of the Northern Territory, and southern New Guinea. It is similar to the rufous fantail, from which it has been split taxonomically but, apart from minor overlap in the eastern Moluccas, their geographic ranges are discrete. It is generally duller than the rufous fantail with the rufous colouration more restricted.
Region
Lesser Sunda Islands, northern Australia, and southern New Guinea
Typical Environment
Occupies lowland tropical habitats, especially monsoon forest, riparian thickets, mangroves, and edges of evergreen and semi-deciduous woodland. It often uses secondary growth, forest edges, and vine tangles where insects are plentiful. In Australia it ranges from the Kimberley across the Top End to western Cape York, and it also occurs on the Lesser Sundas and in southern New Guinea. It tolerates disturbance and can be common in well-vegetated savanna mosaics near water.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Arafura fantail was split from the rufous fantail and is generally duller, with rufous tones more restricted to the rump and tail. It is an agile insect-hunter that constantly fans and flicks its tail to flush prey. The name references the Arafura region between northern Australia and New Guinea, and it is sometimes called the wood fantail.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with frequent sallying
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, sometimes joining mixed-species foraging flocks. Maintains small territories during breeding, with a neat cup nest placed in a fork over water or along shaded streams. Both sexes participate in nesting duties and feed the young. Generally monogamous within a season.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Song is a series of thin, high-pitched trills and tsee-tsee notes delivered in quick bursts. Calls include sharp scolds and chatters given while tail-fanning during foraging.
