The white-winged fantail or Cockerell's fantail, is a species of bird in the family Rhipiduridae. It is found in the Solomon Islands apart from the island of Malaita in the southeast of the archipelago. The white-gorgeted fantail was formerly considered as a subspecies.
Region
Melanesia
Typical Environment
Occurs across much of the Solomon Islands archipelago except Malaita, inhabiting lowland and hill rainforests, forest edges, and secondary growth. It uses riparian corridors, gardens near forest, and degraded woodland where perches are available. The species forages from the understory to the mid-canopy, often along light gaps. It adapts well to moderately disturbed habitats but remains most frequent near intact forest.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The white-winged fantail, also known as Cockerell's fantail, is a lively insect-hawker that constantly fans and flicks its tail while foraging. It is endemic to the Solomon Islands (absent from Malaita) and was historically grouped with the white-gorgeted fantail before being treated as a separate species. It frequents forest edges and secondary growth where it often joins mixed-species flocks. Its bold white wing panels are conspicuous in flight and help with quick identification.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with frequent tail-fanning and brief sallies
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups and readily joins mixed-species flocks along forest edges. It builds a neat, cup-shaped nest suspended in a forked twig and both parents attend the young. Territorial displays include fanned-tail posturing and chattering chases.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of thin, high-pitched whistles interspersed with rapid, scolding chatters. Calls are delivered frequently while foraging and become more persistent near the nest.
Plumage
Dark slate-brown to blackish upperparts with bold white wing panels and contrasting white edges to the fanned tail; underparts dusky with paler throat. Plumage looks crisp and high-contrast when the wings are spread during sallying flights.
Diet
Primarily small flying insects such as flies, moths, and beetles, taken by aerial sallies from exposed perches. Also gleans spiders and insects from foliage and bark. Occasionally snaps up prey flushed by other birds in mixed flocks and may take small berries opportunistically.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along forest edges, light gaps, river margins, and secondary growth where visibility and perches are abundant. Often hunts in the understory to midstory but will rise into the canopy along sunlit edges.
