Grey fantail

The grey fantail is a small insectivorous bird. There is no sexual dimorphism. It is a common fantail found in Australia, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia. The species is considered by many to be conspecific with the New Zealand fantail ; however, differences in its calls lead some authorities to treat it as a separate species. The studies of grey fantail in 1999 by Richard Schodde and Ian Mason recommended that Tasmanian grey fantail was formally classified as R. albiscapa and New Zealand fantails populations as R. fuliginosa

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Distribution

Region

Australasia

Typical Environment

Found across most of Australia (including Tasmania) and on several southwest Pacific islands such as New Caledonia, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands. Prefers open forests, woodland edges, riparian corridors, and shrublands, and is a familiar bird in parks and gardens. It also uses mangroves and lightly wooded farmland where perches and open flycatching space are available. Generally avoids the densest interiors of closed-canopy rainforest but frequents edges and gaps.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 2000 m

Climate Zone

Other

Characteristics

Size14–16 cm

Wing Span18–22 cm

Male Weight0.009 kg

Female Weight0.009 kg

Life Expectancy5 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

The grey fantail is a small, agile flycatcher noted for its constantly fanned tail and energetic, fluttering forays after insects. It occurs widely across Australia, Tasmania, and parts of the southwest Pacific, with some populations making short seasonal movements. It was long considered conspecific with the New Zealand fantail, but differences in calls and morphology support separate species. They often approach people and other animals to snatch insects flushed from vegetation.

Gallery

Juvenile

Behaviour

Temperament

social and active

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats with agile aerial sallies

Social Behavior

Typically seen singly or in pairs, becoming more gregarious outside the breeding season. Pairs build neat cup nests bound with spider silk, often suspended from a forked twig. Both parents incubate and feed the young, and they may raise multiple broods in good seasons.

Migratory Pattern

Partial migrant

Song Description

A rapid series of high, tinkling notes interspersed with sharp scolds and chatters. Calls vary regionally, and the constant contact notes are delivered while foraging and tail-fanning.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

Grey francolin

The grey francolin is a species of francolin found in the plains and drier parts of the Indian subcontinent and Iran. This species was formerly also called the grey partridge, not to be confused with the European grey partridge. They are mainly ground-living birds and are found in open cultivated lands as well as scrub forest and their local name of teetar is based on their calls, a loud and repeated Ka-tee-tar...tee-tar which is produced by one or more birds. The term teetar can also refer to other partridges and quails. During the breeding season calling males attract challengers, and decoys were used to trap these birds especially for fighting.

Grey warbler

The grey warbler, also known by its Māori name riroriro or outside New Zealand as the grey gerygone, is an insectivorous bird in the family Acanthizidae endemic to New Zealand. It is sometimes known as the rainbird. Its natural habitat is forests, but also tends to occupy lower vegetation habitats. These insectivorous birds feed on insects living in shrubs, and often feed on the wing. They are found throughout New Zealand, as well as offshore islands where shrub exists. They also flourish in suburban areas where there is vegetation present.

Grey go-away-bird

The grey go-away-bird, also known as grey lourie, grey loerie, or kwêvoël, is a bold and common turaco of the southern Afrotropics. They are present in arid to moist, open woodlands and thorn savanna, especially near surface water. They regularly form groups and parties that forage in tree tops, or dust bathe on the ground. Especially when disturbed, they make their presence known by their characteristically loud and nasal "kweh" or "go-way" calls, with the last syllable typically a descending drawl. Within their range, their unique appearance and habits preclude confusion with other bird species.

Grey grasswren

The grey grasswren is a passerine bird in the Australasian wren family, Maluridae. It is found on arid inland floodplains of Australia where it is endemic. The grey grasswren is a rarely seen elusive bird that was first sighted in 1921 but not taxonomically described until 1968. Its greyish coloration and very long tail distinguish it from all other grasswrens. While some recent research has been conducted, there still remain many gaps in the knowledge about the ecology of this cryptic bird.