The white-spotted fantail or spot-breasted fantail is a small passerine bird. It is found in forest, scrub and cultivation in southern and central India. It was formerly considered a subspecies of the white-throated fantail.
Region
Indian Subcontinent
Typical Environment
Occurs across southern and central India in dry to moist deciduous woodland, scrub, and semi-open cultivation with scattered trees. Often found along forest edges, riparian thickets, gardens, and plantations where undergrowth is present. It prefers low to mid-story layers, frequently sallying out from perches to catch insects. The species avoids dense closed-canopy rainforest and very open treeless terrain.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The white-spotted fantail, also called the spot-breasted fantail, is a lively insect-hunting bird that constantly fans and flicks its tail while foraging. It is confined to southern and central India and was formerly treated as a subspecies of the white-throated fantail. Its crisp spotted breast and white tail corners help separate it from similar fantails. Pairs build delicate cup nests bound with spider silk in low branches.
Temperament
active and alert
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile sallies
Social Behavior
Typically seen singly or in pairs, sometimes accompanying mixed-species flocks in wooded habitats. Pairs are territorial during breeding, constructing a neat cup-shaped nest from fine fibers and spider silk on a low horizontal branch. Clutch size is small, and both parents participate in incubation and feeding.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a series of clear, ringing whistles delivered in repeated phrases, often sustained for long bouts from a prominent perch. Calls include sharp chips and quick squeaks given while foraging and tail-fanning.
