The chestnut-bellied fantail is a species of bird in the family Rhipiduridae. It is found in the Aru Islands and New Guinea. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
Region
New Guinea and Aru Islands
Typical Environment
Occurs throughout New Guinea (both Indonesian Papua and Papua New Guinea) and the nearby Aru Islands. It inhabits humid lowland and foothill rainforest, forest edges, and riverine corridors. Birds are frequently found in the shaded understory and midstory, where they hunt by short sallies from perches. It also uses selectively logged forest and secondary growth when sufficient cover remains.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This lively fantail constantly fans and flicks its broad tail while sallying after small insects. It often joins mixed-species flocks in the understory, making it easier to spot along forest trails. The species tolerates lightly disturbed habitats and edge forest, though it remains most common in primary rainforest.
Temperament
active and confiding
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with frequent sallying flights
Social Behavior
Typically seen singly or in pairs, but readily joins mixed-species foraging flocks. Pairs defend small territories during the breeding season. The nest is a small, neat cup placed in a forked branch, and both adults tend the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Delivers a series of clear, sweet whistles interspersed with sharper chips. Alarm calls are scolding and rapid, often given while tail-fanning and flicking.
Plumage
Upperparts dark brown to slate-tinged with a clean, rich chestnut belly and flanks; throat paler with a slight whitish wash. Tail broad and often fanned, with contrasting pale or whitish edging. Overall impression is a small, agile fantail with warm underparts and a rounded, expressive tail.
Diet
Feeds primarily on small flying and foliage-dwelling insects such as flies, beetles, moths, and their larvae; also takes spiders. It hunts by sallying from low to mid-level perches, often returning to the same branch. Occasional hover-gleaning at leaf surfaces is common. Prey is typically taken individually and swallowed on the wing or back at the perch.
Preferred Environment
Most often forages in the shaded understory and midstory of moist forest. Frequently works along edges, stream margins, and light gaps where insect activity is high.
