Supertramp Fantail
Rhipidura semicollaris
Small island specialist; a "classic" fantail, with long, pale-tipped tail and slim bill. Plumage extremely geographically variable, and likely involves multiple species. Most populations have some rufous on the back and rump, but birds on small islands off of western Papua and parts of the Banda Sea are entirely brown above. Note black mask in most populations, and a black necklace with a variable amount of additional black spotting on the chest. Frequently cocks and fans tail. Actively forages near the ground in areas with dense vegetation, including mangroves. Previously considered the same species as Rufous Fantail, and more recently, Arafura Fantail.
Identification
The supertramp fantail (Rhipidura semicollaris) is a species of bird in the family Rhipiduridae that is found on the Lesser Sunda Islands, Maluku Islands, Kai Islands and Aru Islands. It was formerly considered to be subspecies of the Arafura fantail (Rhipidura dryas). Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
Taxonomy
The supertramp fantail was formally described in 1843 by the German naturalist Salomon Müller based on specimens collected in Timor. He placed it with the other fantails in the genus Rhipidura and coined the binomial name Rhipidura semicollaris. The specific epithet combines the Latin semi- meaning "half" with collaris meaning "collared". The supertramp fantail and its subspecies were formerly treated as being conspecific with the Arafura fantail (Rhipidura dryas).<p>Nine subspecies are recognised:
- Scientific name
- Rhipidura semicollaris
- Authority
- Müller, S, 1843
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Rhipiduridae
- Genus
- Rhipidura
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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