Samoan Fantail
Rhipidura nebulosa
Mostly dark grayish-brown with a pure white undertail, a black tail, a variable white or smudgy pale throat, and a fleck of white behind the eye. Long tail is often fanned. Prefers primary and secondary rainforest, but tolerates plantations and gardens. Common call is a quiet twitter. Sometimes imitates other bird species.
Identification
The plumage is mostly dark greyish-brown with white undertail, black tail and light (white or pale smoky) throat. White spot behind the eyes. Like other fantails, Samoan fantail often spreads its long tail like a fan. The usual sounds are a low chirp. Sometimes imitates the voices of other bird species.
Taxonomy
According to IOC there are 2 recognised subspecies. In alphabetical order, these are:<p>Samoan fantail (R. nebulosa) forms a superspecies with:
- Scientific name
- Rhipidura nebulosa
- Authority
- Peale, 1849
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Rhipiduridae
- Genus
- Rhipidura
Range and habitat
The Samoan fantail is described as common and widespread on Upolu Island and has a limited distribution on the island of Savaiʻi.<p>Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. Prefers primary and secondary rainforests, but tolerates man-made landscapes: plantations and gardens.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Ochraceous Bulbul
Alophoixus ochraceus
A brownish-olive bulbul with a wispy crest and a puffy, glowingly white throat. Inhabits lowland and foothill forests, where it prefers primary or well-aged secondary growth. Forages in the middle and lower levels of forest, usually in small, noisy flocks. Calls consist primarily of loud, dry “chek” notes; variable song is pleasant and warbling. Extremely similar in appearance to closely related Puff-throated Bulbul, but smaller Ochraceous has darker and browner upperparts, duller yellow underparts, and a shorter crest.
Rufous-tailed Tyrant
Knipolegus poecilurus
Medium-sized flycatcher found in the Andes from Venezuela to Peru as well as the tepuis of Venezuela and Brazil. Grayish-brown overall with a distinctive red eye, pale tawny belly, and tawny or grayish wingbars. Sexes similar. Found at the edge of montane forest from around 900–2,200 m. Usually perches conspicuously.
Scarlet-backed Woodpecker
Veniliornis callonotus
Small, colorful woodpecker of western Ecuador and northwestern Peru. Most common in dry, deciduous forest and scrub, but also inhabits degraded rainforest. Both sexes have red back and white underparts that may show very faint barring. Male’s cap is red and female’s is black. Typical song is a long, rattling trill.
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