Philippine Pied-Fantail

Rhipidura nigritorquis

A medium-sized, long-tailed bird of wooded and fairly open areas in the lowlands. Sooty-gray above and white below, with a black chest band and black face. Note the white throat and brow. Often cocks and twitches its white-tipped tail from side to side. Similar in size and color to Philippine Magpie-Robin, but lacks the white mark in the wing. Song consists of varied, rather tuneless and scratchy complex whistled phrases.

Identification

This bird is of moderate size and has a long tail. It is commonly found in wooded areas and open spaces in lowland regions. Its upper body is a sooty gray color, while its underbody is white. It features a black band on its chest and a black face, with a distinct white throat and brow. It frequently moves its tail from side to side, displaying its white tips. The bird's song is composed of diverse, somewhat unmusical, and scratchy whistled phrases.

Taxonomy

Other names by which this bird is referred to are Maria Capra (Philippines), and tarerekoy (Visayas, Philippines).

Scientific name
Rhipidura nigritorquis
Authority
Vigors, 1831
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Rhipiduridae
Genus
Rhipidura

Range and habitat

The Philippine pied fantail is endemic throughout the Philippines. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

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