The Manus fantail is a bird species endemic to the Admiralty Islands of Papua New Guinea. It is a monotypic species, meaning it is the only one of its kind within its genus. Historically, the Manus fantail has been seen on Manus Island itself, but more recently it has been sighted on smaller surrounding islands like Tong, Rambutyo, and others in the San Miguel and Fedarb groups.
Region
Admiralty Islands, Bismarck Archipelago
Typical Environment
Occurs throughout Manus Island and several adjacent islands, including Tong and Rambutyo, and in the San Miguel and Fedarb island groups. It inhabits lowland and hill rainforests, forest edges, secondary growth, plantations, and village gardens. The species is often seen along tracks, clearings, and stream margins where insect prey is abundant. It tolerates moderate habitat disturbance and persists in mosaic landscapes of forest and cultivation.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 700 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Manus fantail constantly fans and flicks its tail to flush insects from foliage, a hallmark behavior of fantails. It adapts well to secondary growth and village gardens, often staying close to human activity on Manus and nearby islets. Nests are delicate, cup-shaped structures bound with spider silk and placed on slender forks. It is a resident island endemic of the Admiralty Islands in Papua New Guinea.
Temperament
active and confiding
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile sallies
Social Behavior
Usually found singly or in pairs, sometimes joining mixed-species foraging flocks. Pairs maintain territories year-round and perform conspicuous tail-fanning displays. The nest is a small, neat cup bound with spider silk and suspended on a slender fork; both parents take part in incubation and chick-rearing.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
High, thin twittering and scolding chatter delivered in short bursts, often while moving through the understory. Calls include sharp chips and trills used to keep contact with mates and to advertise territory.
Plumage
Compact fantail with soft, slightly fluffy plumage and a broad, frequently fanned tail. Upperparts are brown to sooty-brown with warmer rufous tones on the tail and rump; underparts show buff to rufous wash with paler throat. The tail shows pale edges or tips that become conspicuous when fanned. Subtle pale supercilium and fine mottling may be visible in good light.
Diet
Primarily small flying and foliage-dwelling insects such as flies, beetles, moths, and caterpillars; also takes small spiders. It employs sallying and hover-gleaning, often flushing prey by flicking and fanning its tail. Foraging is active and continuous, moving from perch to perch through the understory and edges. It sometimes follows mixed flocks to exploit disturbed insects.
Preferred Environment
Understory and midstory of rainforest edges, secondary growth, and gardens near forest. Often forages along trails, clearings, and stream margins where visibility and insect activity are higher.
