Fantails
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Passeriformes
Family:Dicruridae
Genus:Rhipidura
Species
rufifrons
fuliginosa
phasiana
rufiventris
leucophrys

Fantails are small, insectivorous birds of Australasia belonging to the genus Rhipidura. Four of the five species are about 15 to 18 cm long, specialist aerial feeders, and known as "fantails"; the fifth, the Willie Wagtail, is a little larger and though still an expert hunter of insects on the wing, concentrates as much on terrestrial prey. (Note that the true wagtails are part of the genus Motacilla and family Motacillidae and are not particularly close relatives of the fantails.)

  • Rufous Fantail (Rhipidura rufifrons)
  • Grey Fantail (Rhipidura fuliginosa)
  • Mangrove Grey Fantail (Rhipidura phasiana)
  • Northern Fantail (Rhipidura rufiventris)
  • Willie Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys)