The Tablas fantail is a fantail endemic to the Philippines on Tablas Island. Until recently, it was considered conspecific with the blue-headed fantail and Visayan fantail. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Region
Central Philippines
Typical Environment
Occurs only on Tablas Island, where it inhabits lowland to foothill evergreen forest, secondary growth, forest edges, riverine thickets, and bamboo patches. It favors dense undergrowth and midstory where it can sally and glean for small insects. It sometimes joins mixed-species flocks, especially in more intact forest. It tolerates some disturbance but declines where forest is heavily degraded or cleared.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 700 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Tablas fantail is confined to Tablas Island in the Philippines and was only recently split from the blue-headed and Visayan fantails based on vocal and plumage differences. Like other fantails, it constantly fans and flicks its tail while foraging for insects. It persists mainly in remaining forest and dense secondary growth and is considered threatened locally by ongoing habitat loss.
Temperament
active and alert
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with frequent tail-fanning
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, sometimes joining mixed-species foraging flocks. Pairs defend small territories during the breeding season. The nest is a neat cup placed on a horizontal fork or suspended from a slender branch; both adults attend and feed the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A fast, high-pitched series of thin trills and tinkling notes interspersed with sharp chips. Calls are scolding and buzzy when agitated, with repeated phrases from perches within the midstory.
Plumage
Compact fantail with slaty to bluish-gray head and breast, contrasting paler throat and belly, and rufous-edged wings. Tail is broad and frequently fanned, showing dark feathers with pale to whitish tips and edges.
Diet
Primarily small insects and other arthropods, which it takes by short sallies from perches and by gleaning from foliage and twigs. It often forages at mid-levels but will drop to the understory to pursue prey. Tail-fanning and wing-flicking likely help flush insects from cover.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along shaded forest trails, edges, and gaps where insect activity is high. Also uses dense secondary growth, bamboo clumps, and streamside vegetation.
