Tuesday 5 March 2019

Malaysian Pied Fantail (Rhipidura javanica)

OTHER NAMES: Sunda Pied Fantail
Latin Etymology: Rhipidura ("fanned tail") javanica ("of Java")
Adult Malaysian Pied Fantail (subspecies R. j. longicauda) at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: Rhipidura javanica longicauda
Weight: 14-19g  /  Length: 18cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The fantails are a group of passerines distinct to Southern Asia and Australasia, which, much as the name suggests have a wide fanned tail.  I saw several of these birds around the Gardens by the Bay in  Singapore, and the overall impression was a species half way between a Pied Wagtail and a Pied Flycatcher, both visually and in terms of the way they moved, flicking back to similar spots in exagerated movements.  Thanks to Meg for spotting the first one of these for me!

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Rhipiduridae
Genus: Rhipidura
SUBSPECIES: R. j. javanica, R. j. laungicauda

 - Sighting Locations -
SINGAPORE - A locally common resident
 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Several seen at Gardens by the Bay

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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