The Philippine pied fantail is a medium-size species of bird in the family Rhipiduridae endemic to the Philippines. It was formerly considered conspecific with the Malaysian pied fantail.
Region
Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Endemic to the Philippine archipelago, where it occupies lowland and foothill habitats. It favors forest edges, secondary growth, mangroves, riverine thickets, plantations, and urban parks and gardens. Often occurs near water and along hedgerows or scrubby clearings. Readily adapts to human-modified landscapes provided some shrub cover remains.
Altitude Range
0–1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The Philippine pied fantail constantly fans and flicks its tail to flush insects, a signature behavior of fantails. It thrives in gardens and forest edges and is commonly seen near people. It was formerly lumped with the Malaysian pied fantail but differs in details of plumage and is restricted to the Philippines.
On a nest
Temperament
active and confiding
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with frequent sallies
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups, actively foraging within a low to mid-level shrub layer. Builds a neat, cup-shaped nest bound with spider silk on a horizontal branch or fork. Both parents participate in incubation and feeding and defend the territory vigorously.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Produces sharp chipping calls, scolding chatters, and clear whistled phrases. Song is a lively series of whistles and trills delivered from exposed perches, often interspersed with tail-fanning displays.
Plumage
Crisp black-and-white pied pattern with a contrasting white throat and supercilium, a black mask and breast band, and white belly. Tail is long and frequently fanned, showing white outer tail feathers. Wings dark with pale edging.
Diet
Feeds primarily on small flying and surface-dwelling insects such as flies, beetles, moths, ants, and small orthopterans. Employs sallying flights from low perches and gleans prey from foliage and bark. Tail-fanning and wing-flicking are used to flush insects from cover.
Preferred Environment
Forages along forest edges, scrub, gardens, and mangroves, especially where scattered shrubs and low branches provide perches. Frequently hunts along paths, streams, and open glades adjacent to cover.
