The New Caledonian streaked fantail is a species of bird in the family Rhipiduridae. It is endemic to New Caledonia, and the Loyalty Islands. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It was formerly considered as conspecific with the Vanuatu streaked fantail and the Fiji streaked fantail with the English name "streaked fantail".
Region
Southwest Pacific (New Caledonia and Loyalty Islands)
Typical Environment
Found in subtropical and tropical moist forests, including both primary and mature secondary growth. It frequents forest understory and mid-story, often along edges, clearings, and riparian corridors. The species adapts to degraded forest and thickets where sufficient cover and insect prey are present. It forages in mixed flocks at times, but is most often seen as pairs within territories.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
A lively member of the Rhipiduridae, this fantail constantly flicks and fans its tail while foraging, flushing insects from foliage. It is endemic to New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands and inhabits humid forests from lowlands to montane zones. It was formerly treated as part of a wider 'streaked fantail' complex with Vanuatu and Fiji populations, but is now recognized as distinct.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs maintaining small territories, occasionally joining mixed-species flocks while foraging. Builds a neat, cup-shaped nest suspended in a fork, using fibers, rootlets, and spider silk. Likely monogamous during breeding, with both parents participating in care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of high, thin whistles and scolding chatters delivered from low to mid-level perches. Calls are quick, buzzy trills given frequently while foraging and during territorial encounters.
Plumage
Upperparts brown to grey-brown with a contrastingly streaked white-and-dark throat and breast; underparts show fine streaking that softens toward the belly. Tail is often fanned, showing pale edges, and wings may show warm buff fringes. Overall appearance is a neat, streaked fantail with an active, fidgety posture.
Diet
Primarily small insects and other arthropods, taken by sallying from low perches or gleaning from leaves and twigs. It often fans its tail to flush prey and makes short, agile sorties through foliage. Occasional aerial hawking is used to snatch flying insects in gaps or along edges.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in dense understory, along forest trails, and at edges where insect activity is high. Also works along stream margins and in regenerating secondary growth with layered vegetation.
