Northern Fantail
Rhipidura rufiventris
Small songbird with long tail, slim bill. Dark gray above, pale below, with a variably dark gray chest band. Often droops tail, showing very long white tips to tail feathers. Gray Fantail has pale wingbars, a narrower thin black breast band, and more prominent eyebrow. Inhabits dense vegetation of paperbark forests, mangroves, and swamps.
Identification
The northern fantail (Rhipidura rufiventris) is a species of bird in the family Rhipiduridae. It is found in New Guinea, Timor, and northern Australia (from Broome in Western Australia to the Shire of Burdekin in Queensland). Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical mangrove forests.
Taxonomy
Genus: Rhipidura; Family: Rhipiduridae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Rhipidura rufiventris
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Rhipiduridae
- Genus
- Rhipidura
Photos
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Northern Bald Ibis
Geronticus eremita
Unique blackish ibis with a bare red face and throat. Long quills form a raggedy mane. Short legs do not project beyond the tail in flight. Breeds in colonies on cliff ledges in semidesert regions; forages in open dry habitats. Critically Endangered with most remaining birds in Morocco; migratory eastern populations in Syria and Turkey all but extinct. Historically bred in central and southern Europe and plans for reintroduction are moving forward.
Bee Hummingbird
Mellisuga helenae
This tiny nectar sipper is the world’s smallest bird. It feeds on woodland flowers, especially those that are more horizontally positioned. Males often found perched on high exposed branches. The male is stunning with an iridescent red head and turquoise upperparts. The female is also turquoise above, but is dingy below. This species is readily identifiable by its tiny size and relatively short bill. In flight, this species’ wings make a sound resembling that of a bumblebee, hence its name. The most common vocalization is an extended, high-pitched, jumbled twitter.
Papuan Whipbird
Androphobus viridis
A rare and little known, medium-sized bird of montane forests. Overall olive-green plumage with a longish tail which is often held cocked. Male has a black throat and chest with a white moustache stripe. Usually in pairs and very skulking. Similar to female Fan-tailed Berrypecker, but Papuan Whipbird lacks the paler belly, white in the tail, side streak and pale around the base of the bill. Voice, a rising whistle similar to a jewel-babbler, and a quiet scolding note.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.