Northern Fantail Rhipidura rufiventris Scientific name definitions

The Northern Fantail is a highly polytpic species that is widespread across northern Australia, New Guinea, the Moluccas, Lesser Sundas, the Bismarck Archipelago, Biak Island, and the Louisiade Archipelago. It is resident across most of its range, but there are some local movements, possibly related to rain or elevation, in some populations in Australia. As such a widespread and polytypic species, it is likely that Northern Fantail could be split into multiple species. Indeed, some species have already been recognized (see Cinnamon-tailed [R. fuscorufa] and Brown-capped Fantail [R. diluta]), but some authorities have split Northern Fantail as recognized here into as many as 9 species. However, further study is needed to clarify relationships among all the taxa currently recognized as Northern Fantail. All taxa are generally dark above, but vary in the color and pattern on the underparts, varying from white to rufous, with variable amounts of dark streaking or banding across the throat and breast.

Northern Fantail (Timor) (Rhipidura rufiventris rufiventris/pallidiceps)

16·2–18·5 cm. Nominate race has white supercilium from above lores to just above or behind eye; blackish-brown lores and sides of face; crown, nape and sides of neck slaty black, upperparts dark slaty grey; remiges dark brown, edged laterally with hoary grey, greater and median wing-coverts dark brown, edged slaty grey, with tiny white tips, lesser coverts dark slaty grey; tail black, two outer pairs of rectrices extensively tipped white, lateral web of outermost nearly entirely white; cheeks, throat and upper breast white, breast-sides washed grey, rest of underparts ochraceous buff, undertail-coverts whiter, thighs ochraceous buff with brown feather bases; underwing-coverts ochraceous buff; iris dark brown; bill and legs black. Sexes alike. Juvenile has upperparts duller and browner, primary-coverts tipped buff; immature like adult, but primary-coverts have buff tips. Race pallidiceps is like nominate, but crown and face concolorous with back, which has brownish wash.

Northern Fantail (Obi) (Rhipidura rufiventris obiensis)

c. 17–18 cm. Male has very short white supercilium from above rear lores to just above eye; forehead, lores and sides of face black, crown to nape, sides of neck and upperparts contrastingly slate-grey; remiges dark grey, tertials with broad white edges, upperwing-coverts with small pale tips; tail black, central rectrices with white edges and tips, lateral rectrices only narrowly tipped white; chin and throat pure white, broad unspotted (occasionally spotted) blackish breastband extending over flanks, rest of underparts white; iris dark brown; bill and legs black. Sexes alike. Juvenile undescribed.

Northern Fantail (Buru) (Rhipidura rufiventris bouruensis)

c. 16–18 cm. Adult has very short white supercilium from above rear lores to just above eye; forehead, lores and sides of face blackish; crown to nape and sides of neck slaty black, upperparts dark slate-grey; wings dark slaty brown, remiges narrowly edged paler, wing-coverts with broad paler edgings; tail black, outer rectrices with white outer webs; chin and throat pale grey with broad white streaks, breast dark grey with white streaks, belly rusty ochraceous; iris dark brown; bill and legs black. Sexes alike. Juvenile undescribed.

Northern Fantail (Seram) (Rhipidura rufiventris cinerea)

c. 16–18 cm. Male has thin whitish supercilium; forehead, lores, crown and face black, rest of head dark grey, upperparts uniformly slate-grey; remiges dark grey; tail black, outer rectrices edged white with partial or no white tips; chin and throat white; bold white-streaked grey breastband extending over flanks, remaining underparts white; iris dark brown; bill and legs black. Sexes alike. Juvenile undescribed.

Northern Fantail (Rote) (Rhipidura rufiventris tenkatei)

c. 16–18 cm. Adult has very short white supercilium from above rear lore to just above eye; lores and side of face blackish-brown; crown to nape and side of neck slaty black, upperparts dark slate-grey; remiges dark brown, edged with greyish, greater and median wing-coverts dark brown, edged slaty grey and with minute white tips, lesser coverts dark slaty grey; tail black, outer two pairs of rectrices extensively tipped white, outer web of outermost almost entirely white; cheek, throat and upper breast grey, all with bold white streaks, remaining underparts pale buffish-white; iris dark brown; bill and legs black. Sexes alike. Juvenile undescribed.

Northern Fantail (Banda Sea) (Rhipidura rufiventris hoedti)

c. 17–18 cm. Adult has tiny pale fleck above eye; forehead, lores and sides of head blackish, crown, neck and upperparts dark brownish grey; remiges dark brown with narrow greyish fringes, greater and median wing-coverts dark brown, edged slate-grey and minutely tipped white, lesser coverts dark slaty; tail black, outer rectrices with extensive white tips; chin, malar region and throat white, dark grey breastband narrowly white-streaked; belly whitish with fawn or buff wash, vent white; iris dark brown; bill and legs black. Sexes alike. One recently fledged young had buffish-cream throat, brown breast suffused with buff, cream belly washed buff, and blackish wings with patches of buff (1 Trainor, C. R., and P. Verbelen (2013). New distributional records from forgotten Banda Sea islands: the birds of Babar, Romang, Sermata, Leti and Kisar, Maluku, Indonesia. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club 133(4):272–315. Close ).

Northern Fantail (Kai) (Rhipidura rufiventris assimilis/finitima)

c. 16–18 cm. Male <em>assimilis</em> has distinctive long white supercilium, grey forehead to nape and sides of head; upperparts brownish grey with olive-brown tinge, remiges dark brown with olive-brown fringes, tail dark brownish, outer rectrices with broad pale buffish-white tips; chin and throat white, breastband grey with smudgy white spots (forming diffuse streaks), belly to vent pale tan-coloured; iris dark brown; bill and legs black. Sexes alike. Juvenile undescribed. Race finitima is much as nominate, but tips of outer rectrices more buff-tinged.

Northern Fantail (Biak) (Rhipidura rufiventris kordensis)

17 cm. Male has short white supercilium from rear lores to above eye; forehead and lores to crown, nape, cheeks and neck-sides black, upperparts blackish; remiges black with narrow whitish edgings, wing-coverts black with whitish tips; tail black, outer rectrices with white fringes and extensive white tips; chin and throat white, broad black breastband (rarely with some small pale spots/streaks), rest of underparts pure white; iris dark brown; bill black, paler mandible; legs black. Sexes alike. Juvenile undescribed.

Northern Fantail (Northern) (Rhipidura rufiventris isura)

16.5–18.5 cm; 10–15 g. Adult has short, thin white supercilium from above lores to just behind eye; forehead, lores, upper malar region and ear-coverts brownish black, rest of head rather dark brown-tinged grey; upperparts dark greyish, upperwing browner, remiges with whitish fringes (broadest on tertials), wing-coverts with broader whitish edges and tips; tail dark grey-brown, outer rectrices with thin whitish outer edges and extensive whitish tips; chin and throat white; broad grey breastband with well-defined narrow streak-like white spots; belly to undertail-coverts ochraceous; iris dark brown; bill and legs black. Sexes alike. Juvenile has browner and duller plumage with buffish feather tips.

Northern Fantail (Melanesian) (Rhipidura rufiventris [setosa Group])

16.5–18.5 cm; 10–15 g. Similar to isura, but subspecies of this group differ mainly in colour and markings of underparts and extent of white on secondaries and rectrices: vidua is small, breastband slaty grey with conspicuous white marks, belly white; <em>gularis</em> lacks white fringes on wing-coverts and secondaries, breastband unmarked, white tips on outer rectrices short; finschii has secondaries edged with white, belly buff; mussai has darker crown, upperparts and breastband than previous, narrower fringes to secondaries; tangensis differs in having upperparts much paler, edges of secondaries and tertials very narrow; setosa resembles previous but has white belly; gigantea is like last but larger, with darker upperparts and breastband; and niveiventris is even darker on back and breastband.

Northern Fantail (Chin-spot) (Rhipidura rufiventris nigromentalis)

16.5–18.5 cm; 10–15 g. Adult is similar to subspecies isura, but nigromentalis is separated by black forehead, lores and subocular area, chin with distinct black spot, white area on tail tips longer;

Editor's Note: This article requires further editing work to merge existing content into the appropriate Subspecies sections. Please bear with us while this update takes place.

Northern Fantail (R. rufiventris) has traditionally be treated as a single large, widespread, polytypic species, often also including Cinnamon-tailed (R. fuscorufa) and Brown-capped Fantail (R. diluta) (see ). However, being such a widespread and variable species, Northern Fantail (R. rufiventris) as recognized here is likely comprised of multiple distinct species. There is not universal consensus on how Northern Fantail should be split, hence our maintenance as a single species here. A comprehensive study that includes genetic data from the different taxa of the Northern Fantail complex would help to clarify relationships among these groups relative to other fantails as well.

Primarily on the basis of variation in plumage, morphometrics, and analysis of vocalizations (2 Boesman, P. (2016). Notes on the vocalizations of Northern Fantail (Rhipidura rufiventris). HBW Alive Ornithological Note 186. In: Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. Close ), del Hoyo and Collar (3 del Hoyo, J., and N. J. Collar (2016). HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2: Passerines. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close ) have split R. rufiventris into 9 different species. del Hoyo and Collar (3 del Hoyo, J., and N. J. Collar (2016). HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2: Passerines. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close ) recognized the following species from the Northern Fantail complex:

1) Timor Fantail (Rhipidura rufiventris) = Northern Fantail (Timor) (Rhipidura rufiventris rufiventris/pallidiceps)

In this treatment, only two subspecies, rufiventris and pallidiceps are retained in R. rufiventris, and are distributed Timor and Wetar in the eastern Lesser Sundas.

del Hoyo and Collar (3 del Hoyo, J., and N. J. Collar (2016). HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2: Passerines. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close ) comment further:

"Until very recently (see synchronous independent analysis 4 Eaton, J. A., B. van Balen, N. W. Brickle, and F. E. Rheindt (2016). Birds of the Indonesian Archipelago: Greater Sundas and Wallacea. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close ) treated as a large polytypic species, but variation in Wallacea pronounced, leading to earlier recognition of R. diluta and R. fuscorufa; in addition to plumage differences, new acoustic evidence now extends the basis for many further separations, hence the split here of R. tenkatei, R. hoedti, R. bouruensis, R. obiensis, R. cinerea, R. assimilis, R. kordensis and R. isura. Present species differs from highly polytypic R. isura in its white breast, with grey breast sides marked with large vague white spots (3); tan vs pale tan belly (1); larger white tips on outer rectrices (1); fairly (to highly) divergent song (score for least divergent song: 3) 2 Boesman, P. (2016). Notes on the vocalizations of Northern Fantail (Rhipidura rufiventris). HBW Alive Ornithological Note 186. In: Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. Close . Two subspecies recognized."

Additional species recognized by del Hoyo and Collar (3 del Hoyo, J., and N. J. Collar (2016). HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2: Passerines. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close ) from the Northern Fantail complex include:

2) Obi Fantail (Rhipidura obiensis) = Northern Fantail (Obi) (Rhipidura rufiventris obiensis)

"One of several taxa recently split from R. rufiventris 4 Eaton, J. A., B. van Balen, N. W. Brickle, and F. E. Rheindt (2016). Birds of the Indonesian Archipelago: Greater Sundas and Wallacea. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close (which see). Differs from all other taxa in that complex by various characters in unique combination: bold white throat; almost plain grey breast; white belly to vent; bold white edges of innermost secondaries (tertials); back a clear shade paler grey than dark grey crown to nape; and song 2 Boesman, P. (2016). Notes on the vocalizations of Northern Fantail (Rhipidura rufiventris). HBW Alive Ornithological Note 186. In: Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. Close . Differs in particular from geographically closest representative of rufiventris complex, R. cinerea, in characters given under that species, and from next nearest, R. bouruensis, in its bold white vs pale grey throat (ns[2]); very lightly streaked breast (3); white vs tan belly (3); white edges of tertials (2); white tips on outer rectrices (ns[2]); shorter tail (at least 1); and slightly divergent voice (1). From morphologically closest representative, R. kordensis, differs in its slightly paler grey back and breastband, latter with some narrow white streaks (2); white edges of tertials (2); larger size (at least 1); and rather divergent voice (2). Monotypic." (3 del Hoyo, J., and N. J. Collar (2016). HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2: Passerines. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close )

3) Buru Fantail (Rhipidura bouruensis) = Northern Fantail (Buru) (Rhipidura rufiventris bouruensis)

"One of several taxa recently split from R. rufiventris 4 Eaton, J. A., B. van Balen, N. W. Brickle, and F. E. Rheindt (2016). Birds of the Indonesian Archipelago: Greater Sundas and Wallacea. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close (which see). Differs from all other taxa in that complex by various characters in unique combination: grey throat; heavily white-streaked dark grey breastband; rich tan belly to vent; white outer vanes of outer rectrices but with no white tips; and song 2 Boesman, P. (2016). Notes on the vocalizations of Northern Fantail (Rhipidura rufiventris). HBW Alive Ornithological Note 186. In: Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. Close . Differs in particular from geographically closest representative of rufiventris complex, R. obiensis, in characters given under that species (which see), and from morphologically closest representative, R. hoedti, in its grey vs white throat (ns[2]); bolder-streaked breast (2); rich tan vs rusty-cream belly to vent (2); lack of large white tail tips (3); slightly smaller size, notably in bill length (for which allow 2); very divergent song, being long, flat-pitched whistles vs a series of short notes (3) descending in pitch (2). See also R. cinerea. Monotypic." (3 del Hoyo, J., and N. J. Collar (2016). HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2: Passerines. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close )

4) Seram Fantail (Rhipidura cinerea) = Northern Fantail (Seram) (Rhipidura rufiventris cinerea)

"One of several taxa recently split from R. rufiventris 4 Eaton, J. A., B. van Balen, N. W. Brickle, and F. E. Rheindt (2016). Birds of the Indonesian Archipelago: Greater Sundas and Wallacea. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close (which see). Differs from all other taxa in that complex by various characters in unique combination: white throat; bold white-streaked grey breastband; white belly to vent; uniformly slate-grey upperparts; and white outer vanes of outer rectrices with partial or no white tips; but song still unknown. Differs in particular from two geographically closest representatives of rufiventris complex (apart from R. hoedti and R. assimilis, which see) as follows: from R. bouruensis in its white vs grey throat (2); white vs rich tan belly to vent (3); slightly more white on outer tail (1); and longer bill (at least 1); and from R. obiensis in its heavily vs very lightly streaked breastband (3); lack of white fringes on secondaries (2); lack of white tail tips (2); uniform upperparts (ns[1]); and longer tail (allow 2). Differs from its next (after R. bouruensis) morphologically closest representative, R. hoedti, in its white vs rusty-cream belly to vent (2); lack of bold white tail tips (3); rather stronger breast streaks (1); and smaller size, with shorter tail and much shorter bill (allow 2). See also R. tenkatei. Monotypic." (3 del Hoyo, J., and N. J. Collar (2016). HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2: Passerines. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close )

5) Roti Fantail (Rhipidura tenkatei) = Northern Fantail (Rote) (Rhipidura rufiventris tenkatei)

"One of several taxa recently split from R. rufiventris 4 Eaton, J. A., B. van Balen, N. W. Brickle, and F. E. Rheindt (2016). Birds of the Indonesian Archipelago: Greater Sundas and Wallacea. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close (see that species). Differs from all other taxa in that complex by various characters in unique combination: throat boldly white-streaked like breast; buffy-white belly to vent; large white tail tips; song 2 Boesman, P. (2016). Notes on the vocalizations of Northern Fantail (Rhipidura rufiventris). HBW Alive Ornithological Note 186. In: Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. Close . Differs in particular from geographically closest representative of complex, R. rufiventris, in its white-streaked grey vs all-white throat (3); white-streaked grey vs diffuse white-on-grey breast (3); much paler belly to vent (2); and notably divergent song (4). From morphologically closest representative, R. cinerea, differs in its white-streaked grey vs all-white throat (3); buffy-white vs white belly to vent (1); large vs at best vestigial white tail tips (3). Monotypic." (3 del Hoyo, J., and N. J. Collar (2016). HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2: Passerines. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close )

6) Banda Fantail (Rhipidura hoedti) = Northern Fantail (Banda Sea) (Rhipidura rufiventris hoedti)

"One of several taxa recently split from R. rufiventris 4 Eaton, J. A., B. van Balen, N. W. Brickle, and F. E. Rheindt (2016). Birds of the Indonesian Archipelago: Greater Sundas and Wallacea. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close (see that species). Differs from all other taxa in that complex by various characters in unique combination: white throat; narrowly white-streaked dark grey breastband; pale tan belly; white vent; large white tail tips; rather large size, with notably long bill; and song 2 Boesman, P. (2016). Notes on the vocalizations of Northern Fantail (Rhipidura rufiventris). HBW Alive Ornithological Note 186. In: Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. Close . Differs in particular from geographically closest representative of rufiventris complex, R. cinerea, in its pale tan vs white belly (2); large white vs at best vestigial tail tips (3); slightly browner upperparts (1); and larger size, expressed in longer tail and especially longer bill (allow 2). Differs from morphologically closest representative, R. isura, in its slightly darker upperparts (1); markedly darker breastband with stronger white streaks (2); larger white tail tips (1); larger size, expressed in longer tail and especially longer bill (allow 2); and somewhat (to very) divergent song (score for least divergent song: 2). From morphologically close R. bouruensis in characters given under that species (which see). Monotypic." (3 del Hoyo, J., and N. J. Collar (2016). HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2: Passerines. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close )

7) Kai Fantail (Rhipidura assimilis) = Northern Fantail (Kai) (Rhipidura rufiventris assimilis/finitima)

"One of several taxa recently split from R. rufiventris 4 Eaton, J. A., B. van Balen, N. W. Brickle, and F. E. Rheindt (2016). Birds of the Indonesian Archipelago: Greater Sundas and Wallacea. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close (which see). Differs from all other taxa in that complex by various characters in unique combination: bold white supercilium; white throat; pale grey breastband with very indistinct white streaks; pale tan belly to vent; buffy tips of tail; and brownish-grey upperparts. Differs in particular from geographically closest representative of rufiventris complex, R. cinerea, in its bold white supercilium (3); much more diffuse, paler breastband (3); pale tan vs white belly (ns[2]); buffy vs very slight white tail tips (3); and browner upperparts (1). Differs from morphologically closest representative, nominate R. isura, in its bold white supercilium (3); much more diffusely streaked breastband (2); buffy vs large white tail tips (3); browner upperparts (ns[1]); and rather larger size (allow 1). Two subspecies recognized." (3 del Hoyo, J., and N. J. Collar (2016). HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2: Passerines. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close )

8) Biak Fantail (Rhipidura kordensis) = Northern Fantail (Biak) (Rhipidura rufiventris kordensis)

"One of several taxa recently split from R. rufiventris 4 Eaton, J. A., B. van Balen, N. W. Brickle, and F. E. Rheindt (2016). Birds of the Indonesian Archipelago: Greater Sundas and Wallacea. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close (which see). Differs from all other taxa in that complex by various characters in unique combination: white throat; plain black breastband; white belly to vent; blackish upperparts; and rather short, notably graduated tail. Differs in particular from geographically closest representative of rufiventris complex, R. isura race gularis, in its black vs grey breastband (3); white vs pale tan belly to vent (2); darker upperparts (1); much shorter tail (at least 2); and rather divergent song (2) 2 Boesman, P. (2016). Notes on the vocalizations of Northern Fantail (Rhipidura rufiventris). HBW Alive Ornithological Note 186. In: Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. Close . Differs from its morphologically closest representative, R. obiensis, in characters given under that species. Monotypic." (3 del Hoyo, J., and N. J. Collar (2016). HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2: Passerines. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close )

9) Northern Fantail (Rhipidura isura) = Northern Fantail (Northern) (Rhipidura rufiventris isura)

"One of several taxa recently split from R. rufiventris 4 Eaton, J. A., B. van Balen, N. W. Brickle, and F. E. Rheindt (2016). Birds of the Indonesian Archipelago: Greater Sundas and Wallacea. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close (which see). Differs from all other taxa in that complex in characters given under each species. Geographical variation among races fairly marked, and vocal evidence 2 Boesman, P. (2016). Notes on the vocalizations of Northern Fantail (Rhipidura rufiventris). HBW Alive Ornithological Note 186. In: Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. Close may in due course lead to the separation of several further species. Ten subspecies recognized." (3 del Hoyo, J., and N. J. Collar (2016). HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2: Passerines. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close )

Northern Fantail (Obi)

Obi I and Bisa I (S of Halmahera), in N Moluccas.

Northern Fantail (Buru)

Buru I, in S Moluccas.

Northern Fantail (Seram)

Seram and Ambon, in S Moluccas.

Northern Fantail (Rote)

Roti (off SW Timor), in Lesser Sundas.

Northern Fantail (Banda Sea)

E Lesser Sundas (Romang, Damar, Leti, Moa, Sermata).

Northern Fantail (Biak)

Biak I (Geelvink Bay), in NW New Guinea.

Northern Fantail (Timor) (Rhipidura rufiventris rufiventris/pallidiceps)

Variety of wooded habitats, including scrubby areas near villages, as well as roadside trees and wooded savanna (6 Johnstone, R.E., Hidayat, O., Darnell, J.C. and Trainor, C.R. (2014). The avifauna of Semau Island, Lesser Sundas, Indonesia: ecology, taxonomy and conservation. West. Austr. Natur.. 29(3): 162–221. Close ). On Semau, recorded mainly in vine forest and Ficus thickets. Lowlands and hills, from sea-level to 2600 m on Timor.

Northern Fantail (Obi) (Rhipidura rufiventris obiensis)

Various wooded habitats, including plantations and scrub, from sea-level to 1550 m. Commonly observed in degraded forest and in forest edge.

Northern Fantail (Buru) (Rhipidura rufiventris bouruensis)

Woodlands and forest, including scrub and plantations, from lowlands to 1000 m.

Northern Fantail (Seram) (Rhipidura rufiventris cinerea)

Woodland of most types, including scrublands and plantations, below 1000 m.

Northern Fantail (Rote) (Rhipidura rufiventris tenkatei)

All wooded habitats, including plantations and mangroves; occurs also in scrub around villages. Lowlands.

Northern Fantail (Banda Sea) (Rhipidura rufiventris hoedti)

Woodland, including plantations, also scrubby areas in and around villages, and gardens. To at least 400 m (on Romang).

Northern Fantail (Kai) (Rhipidura rufiventris assimilis/finitima)

Mainly in rainforest and mangroves; also woodland edge, and extends into areas of woodland regrowth. Lowlands to at least 625 m.

Northern Fantail (Biak) (Rhipidura rufiventris kordensis)

Forest and forest edge. Somewhat restricted to deep secondgrowth and original forest near mangrove swamps.

Northern Fantail (Rhipidura isura) (Rhipidura rufiventris isura)

Occurs in a range of forested habitats, from rainforest and monsoon forest to swamp-forest, gallery forest, tall secondary forest, locally mangroves; often in more open areas, including ecotones between forest types, second growth, lightly wooded cultivation, open scrub, and natural forest clearings produced by fallen trees. In Australia, also dense waterside vegetation, especially that dominated by paperbark (Melaleuca), vine forest and thicket, open eucalypt (Eucalyptus) forests (both wet and dry), occasionally thickets of figs (Ficus) on sandstone cliffs and thickets of acacia (Acacia) or Casuarina. Lowlands and hills, from sea-level to 1000 m.

Northern Fantail (Melanesian) (Rhipidura rufiventris [setosa Group])

Occurs in a range of forested habitats, from rainforest and monsoon forest to swamp-forest, gallery forest, tall secondary forest, locally mangroves; often in more open areas, including ecotones between forest types, second growth, lightly wooded cultivation, open scrub, and natural forest clearings produced by fallen trees. On Kofiau I (race vidua), extends into coconut groves with scrub (7 Diamond, J., Mauro I., Bishop, K.D. and Wijaya, L. (2009). The avifauna of Kofiau Island, Indonesia. Bull Brit. Orn. Club 129(3): 165–181. Close ). Lowlands and hills, from sea-level to 1580 m in New Guinea, and to 1640 m on New Britain.

Northern Fantail (Chin-spot) (Rhipidura rufiventris nigromentalis)

Occupies a variety of wooded habitats and forest edges in Louisiade Archipelago.

Northern Fantail (Timor) (Rhipidura rufiventris rufiventris/pallidiceps)

Apparently resident.

Northern Fantail (Obi) (Rhipidura rufiventris obiensis)

Resident.

Northern Fantail (Buru) (Rhipidura rufiventris bouruensis)

Resident.

Northern Fantail (Seram) (Rhipidura rufiventris cinerea)

Resident.

Northern Fantail (Rote) (Rhipidura rufiventris tenkatei)

Resident.

Northern Fantail (Banda Sea) (Rhipidura rufiventris hoedti)

Resident.

Northern Fantail (Kai) (Rhipidura rufiventris assimilis/finitima)

Resident.

Northern Fantail (Biak) (Rhipidura rufiventris kordensis)

Resident.

Northern Fantail (Northern) (Rhipidura rufiventris isura)

Resident in most of range. Some seasonal movements in N Australia: apparent post-breeding shift from mountain ranges to lowlands in NE Queensland, and local movements along minor waterways in wet season in Northern Territory. Ringed individuals in Australia recovered at distances of less than 10 km from ringing site.

Northern Fantail (Melanesian) (Rhipidura rufiventris [setosa Group])

Apparently resident. Ringed individuals in New Guinea recovered at distances of less than 10 km from ringing site.

Northern Fantail (Chin-spot) (Rhipidura rufiventris nigromentalis)

Apparently resident.

Northern Fantail (Timor) (Rhipidura rufiventris rufiventris/pallidiceps)

Little information available. Feeds mainly on insects. Observed alone or in pairs.

Northern Fantail (Obi) (Rhipidura rufiventris obiensis)

Insects and spiders. Forages singly or in pairs.

Northern Fantail (Buru) (Rhipidura rufiventris bouruensis)

Insects and spiders. Forages singly and in pairs; joins mixed-species foraging flocks.

Northern Fantail (Seram) (Rhipidura rufiventris cinerea)

Small invertebrates. Forages alone or in pairs. No other information.

Northern Fantail (Rote) (Rhipidura rufiventris tenkatei)

Little specific information. Moves around in the understorey, 1–5 m above ground. Diet and foraging methods believed unlikely to differ significantly from those of R. r. rufiventris. Observed singly and in pairs.

Northern Fantail (Banda Sea) (Rhipidura rufiventris hoedti)

Little information. Diet insects and spiders. One seen holding a dragonfly (Odonata). Forages singly or in pairs.

Northern Fantail (Kai) (Rhipidura rufiventris assimilis/finitima)

Little information. Presumably takes insects and spiders, as do other subspecies. Forages alone or in pairs. Joins mixed-species flocks.

Northern Fantail (Biak) (Rhipidura rufiventris kordensis)

Small invertebrates. No further information; behaviour probably little different from that of R. r. isura and setosa group.

Northern Fantail (Northern) (Rhipidura rufiventris isura)

Insects, including beetles (Coleoptera), flies (Diptera), bugs (Hemiptera), hymenopterans, termites (Isoptera), lepidopterans, and dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata); also spiders. Studies in SE New Guinea of setosa group (see below) and Australia found preferred foraging heights and techniques generally similar. In Australia, some differences in foraging heights according to habitat type and time of year: in forest, 35·1% of foraging attempts 1–5 m above ground, 37·8% at 5–10 m, 21·6% at 10–17·5 m and 5·4% at 17·5–25 m; in monsoon forest, 8% on ground, 21% at 1 m, 21% at 2–3 m, 25% at 4–7 m, 17% at 8–14 m and 8% above 14 m; in open forest and woodland in dry season, 7% on ground, 21% at 2–3 m, 38% at 4–7 m, 24% at 8–14 m and 10% above 14 m (respective figures for corresponding heights in wet season 8%, 15%, 54%, 15% and 8%); in mangroves, 33·3% at 1–2 m, 22·2% at 2–4 m, 27·8% at 4–8 m and 16·7% above 8 m. Typically perches on exposed, usually horizontal branch in lower to upper strata, mostly middle strata, making predominantly direct flights, up to 10–30 m, often returning to same perch after several successive sallies. Most prey captured by flycatching, either in air or off vegetation or other substrate: in Australia mostly in air (54–77% in open forest and woodland in wet season, and in mangroves), less among foliage (20–24%), on ground infrequently (8% in monsoon forest and open forest) or not at all (mangroves). Apparently does not commonly associate with other species in Australia.

Northern Fantail (Melanesian) (Rhipidura rufiventris [setosa Group])

Insects, including beetles (Coleoptera), flies (Diptera), bugs (Hemiptera), hymenopterans, termites (Isoptera), lepidopterans, and dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata); also spiders. In New Guinea, 7% of feeding at 0–1 m, 10% at 1–2 m, 26% at 2–4 m, 16% at 4–6 m, 14% at 6–8 m (understorey), 19% at 8–25 m (subcanopy) and 8% at 25–35 m (canopy). Typically perches on exposed, usually horizontal branch in lower to upper strata, mostly middle strata, making predominantly direct flights, up to 10–30 m, often returning to same perch after several successive sallies. Most prey captured by flycatching, either in air or off vegetation or other substrate: in New Guinea prey captured mainly in air (71%), less on branches or trunks (25%), and least among foliage and vines (4%). In New Guinea, frequently joins mixed-species foraging flocks of small insectivorous birds, including whistlers (Pachycephalidae), gerygones and monarchs (Monarchidae).

Northern Fantail (Chin-spot) (Rhipidura rufiventris nigromentalis)

Little information. Presumably takes insects and spiders, as do other subspecies.

Northern Fantail (Timor) (Rhipidura rufiventris rufiventris/pallidiceps)

Song a series of 7–10 drawn out, whistled, stop-start notes alternately inflected and deflected, “wir-wor-wir-wor-wir-wor-wir-wor”, fairly even in pitch, the whole c. 3 seconds in duration 4 Eaton, J. A., B. van Balen, N. W. Brickle, and F. E. Rheindt (2016). Birds of the Indonesian Archipelago: Greater Sundas and Wallacea. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close . Call “suc” or “suct” (a sucking sound).

Northern Fantail (Obi) (Rhipidura rufiventris obiensis)

Song a series of 5–8 drawn-out flat-pitched melodious whistles on roughy the same pitch, the first one ascending and the last one distinctly lower-pitched, e.g. “wer-wir-wiir-wiir-wiir-do’d’do” (phrase duration c. 3–4 seconds). Also, presumably in duet, an excited shrill medley of buzzy and more melodious notes lasting 2–2·5 seconds, rendered “wit-de-de-de-dee-dee-dee”. Calls include a metallic “chink” and squeaky chattering.

Northern Fantail (Buru) (Rhipidura rufiventris bouruensis)

Song  a series of about 3–8 drawn-out flat-pitched pure whistles, first and second notes slightly lower-pitched than next ones, occasionally fourth note higher-pitched and last note again lower, e.g. “wee-wee-wir-WEE-wiir-wir-wee” (phrase duration c. 2–5 seconds). Call a metallic “cha”, sounding surprised, sometimes given with a jumbled series of unstructured notes, e.g. “tee-tee-TWEE-tee-tee-TWEE”.

Northern Fantail (Seram) (Rhipidura rufiventris cinerea)

Apparently undescribed.

Northern Fantail (Rote) (Rhipidura rufiventris tenkatei)

Song a series of about 8–12 short sweet notes, only slightly rising and dropping in pitch (pace c. 2 notes/second), e.g. “che-che-che-che-WEE-we-che-che”, lasting 4·5–5 seconds; also an excited duet 4–7 seconds long, initiated with nasal notes and followed by a medley of buzzy, burry and more melodious notes. Call a short “chip” or repeated “chep” note, which is sometimes likened to the call of Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus).

Northern Fantail (Banda Sea) (Rhipidura rufiventris hoedti)

Song a descending series of about 4–6 short sweet notes with total duration of c. 1 second, “see-tee-dee-dee-de”; also, in duet, a nervous or excited, rhythmic alternation of jumbled buzzy notes, up to 14, often downslurred, e.g. “t’t’t’too-too-chew-t’t’too-too-chew”, and lasting c. 4 seconds. Call a harsh downslurred “t-cher-cher”.

Northern Fantail (Kai) (Rhipidura rufiventris assimilis/finitima)

Song  is a continuous series of alternating metallic notes, “tee-two-tee-two-tee-two…”, at pace of c. 1 note/second. Also, in duet, an excited series of jumbled, buzzy and jingled notes lasting for up to ten seconds, rendered “too-too-dee-BZZ-too-dee-tee-dee”. Call a short, sharp metallic “chit”.

Northern Fantail (Biak) (Rhipidura rufiventris kordensis)

Poorly known. Song is a series of 4–5 fairly long, typically gradually descending whistles. Has been transcribed as “tsee-too tsee-too…”.

Northern Fantail (Northern) (Rhipidura rufiventris isura)

Song in Australia consists of 3–5 tinkling descending notes, usually preceded by a few soft, almost inaudible notes, repeated many times without variation, sometimes into dusk and early evening. Contact notes in Australia a short metallic repeated “chip-chip-chip” or mellow “kek” or “dek”, in New Guinea repeated faint “whik”. Other calls include, in Australia, an ascending, buzzing “zziop-i-deet”, also “chack” or “cluck” possibly as alarm.

Northern Fantail (Melanesian) (Rhipidura rufiventris [setosa Group])

In New Guinea (gularis) and New Britain (finschii) and New Ireland (setosa) 3–7 (usually 4–6) whistled notes, somewhat wistful in quality, basic pattern consisting of four notes, “pi-péé-pec-po”, first short and relatively quiet, second higher and louder, last two successively lower in pitch, additional notes may be added to beginning or end, sometimes repeated every few seconds interspersed with short nasal notes; also extended series of rapidly uttered low whistles, “tiptuptiptuptiptup”, terminating in jumble of notes. On Kofiau (vidua), song is a descending weak series of 3–5 whistled notes, occasionally preceded and/or followed by several other notes of similar quality (7 Diamond, J., Mauro I., Bishop, K.D. and Wijaya, L. (2009). The avifauna of Kofiau Island, Indonesia. Bull Brit. Orn. Club 129(3): 165–181. Close ). On Mussau (mussai) and Manus I (niveiventris) song is attractive and sweet, like that of a gerygone (Gerygone), on Manus in descending and rising series. In New Guinea, calls include a monotonous “tie-tie-tie-tie”, two alternating high piping notes, low nasal “chip” or “chup” in mixed foraging flocks, upslurred “tuwít”, and also fairly rapid series of short notes in flight.

Northern Fantail (Chin-spot) (Rhipidura rufiventris nigromentalis)

Song apparently undescribed.

Northern Fantail (Timor) (Rhipidura rufiventris rufiventris/pallidiceps)

No definite information. Thought unlikely to differ significantly from other subspecies, e.g. R. r. isura.

Northern Fantail (Obi) (Rhipidura rufiventris obiensis)

No information.

Northern Fantail (Buru) (Rhipidura rufiventris bouruensis)

No information.

Northern Fantail (Seram) (Rhipidura rufiventris cinerea)

Nest with young in Jun on Seram. No further information.

Northern Fantail (Rote) (Rhipidura rufiventris tenkatei)

No information.

Northern Fantail (Banda Sea) (Rhipidura rufiventris hoedti)

Little information. Fledgling photographed in early Nov on Sermata (1 Trainor, C. R., and P. Verbelen (2013). New distributional records from forgotten Banda Sea islands: the birds of Babar, Romang, Sermata, Leti and Kisar, Maluku, Indonesia. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club 133(4):272–315. Close ). Nest on Damar recorded in late Oct: a tightly woven cup with untidy “tail”, woven around slender branch at medium height in vegetation; adult incubating .

Northern Fantail (Kai) (Rhipidura rufiventris assimilis/finitima)

One seen carrying nesting material in late Apr and another observed nestbuilding in Oct (8 Johnstone, R. E., and S. (B.) van Balen (2013). The birds of the Kai and Tayandu Islands, Maluku region, Indonesia. Western Australian Naturalist 29(1):11–56. Close ). No further information.

Northern Fantail (Biak) (Rhipidura rufiventris kordensis)

No information.

Northern Fantail (Northern) (Rhipidura rufiventris isura)

May–Feb in Australia; 1–2 broods per season (Australia). During courtship, male displays to female by cocking tail, drooping and spreading wings, waggling from side to side, moving stiffly from twig to twig. Nest built by both sexes, a cup constructed of thin bark strips, grass, leaves and other plant material, woven together and bound with spider web, sometimes plant fibres, elongated “tail” hanging from underside, no special lining, external diameter 48–51 mm, length 56–58 mm, depth 76–102 mm, length of “tail” 51–76 mm, internal diameter 41–46 mm, length 38–51 mm, depth 20–28 mm; built 0·6–22·9 m above ground on bare horizontal or sloping twig or branch, or in three-pronged vertical fork (with “tail” worked around supporting twig), in tree or shrub. Clutch 1–3 eggs, dull white or pale creamy, with dull yellowish-brown, brown or grey spots (red-brown in New Guinea) (9 Symes, C.T. and Marsden, S.J. (2005). Notes on the breeding of Salvadori’s Teal Anas waiguiensis and other birds in Crater Mountain Wildlife Management Area, Papua New Guinea. Bull. Brit. Orn. Club 125(1): 11–27. Close ) and other markings (and a few small underlying pale bluish-grey dots) most pronounced at large end, mean 17·9 mm × 14 mm; incubation and care of young by both sexes, no information on incubation and fledging periods. Parasitized by Brush Cuckoo (Cacomantis variolosus) in Australia.

Northern Fantail (Melanesian) (Rhipidura rufiventris [setosa Group])

Appears to breed from dry season to middle of wet season, with peak in late dry season (Sept–Oct), in New Guinea.

Northern Fantail (Chin-spot) (Rhipidura rufiventris nigromentalis)

No information.

Northern Fantail (Timor) (Rhipidura rufiventris rufiventris/pallidiceps)

Not globally threatened (Least Concern. Restricted-range species: confined to the Timor and Wetar EBA. Common or fairly common to numerous in most of range, being moderately common on Semau. Population size not known, but thought to be fairly stable in absence of any major threats.

Northern Fantail (Obi) (Rhipidura rufiventris obiensis)

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Restricted-range species: confined to a single island within the Northern Maluku EBA. Notwithstanding its very small range (extent of occurrence: 3600 km²), this species is considered not to be at any risk. Recent surveys indicate that the species is numerous in degraded areas. Common in suitable habitat and, although its population has not yet been quantified, numbers appear to be stable.

Northern Fantail (Buru) (Rhipidura rufiventris bouruensis)

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Restricted-range species: confined to the Buru EBA. This fantail has a small range, confined to a single island, but it appears to be common there. Its population size is not known, but its population trend appears to be stable and the species is believed not to be at any immediate risk.

Northern Fantail (Seram) (Rhipidura rufiventris cinerea​​​​​​​)

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Restricted-range species: confined to the Seram EBA. Generally uncommon; perhaps locally fairly common. This species has a small range, but is not believed to be at risk. Its population, although not yet quantified, is thought to be stable as there is no evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Northern Fantail (Rote) (Rhipidura rufiventris tenkatei​​​​​​​)

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Restricted-range species: confined to the Timor and Wetar EBA. Although this species has a small range, it appears to be fairly common to frequent in occurrence. Its population size is not known, but it is thought to be stable.

Northern Fantail (Banda Sea) (Rhipidura rufiventris hoedti​​​​​​​)

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Restricted-range species: confined to the Banda Sea islands EBA. Although this species has a small range, its extent of occurrence is calculated at 18,400 km², it is thought not to be at any immediate risk. Common on Romang and Sermata, and widespread on Damar. Population appears to be stable, and its habitat is not under any serious threat.

Northern Fantail (Kai) (Rhipidura rufiventris assimilis/finitima​​​​​​​)

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Restricted-range species: confined to a tiny part of the Banda Sea islands EBA. Common to moderately common within its small range. Population size not known but is thought to be stable. So far as is known, there are no serious threats facing the species.

Northern Fantail (Biak) (Rhipidura rufiventris kordensis​​​​​​​)

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Restricted-range species: confined to a single island in the Geelvink Islands EBA. This species has a small range, restricted to the island of Biak, where its area of occupancy has been calculated as approximately 2100 km². Population size has not been quantified, but it appears to be stable. So far as is known, this fantail is not at presently subject to any serious threats.

Northern Fantail (Northern) (Rhipidura rufiventris isura​​​​​​​)

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Common or fairly common to abundant in most of range.

Northern Fantail (Melanesian) (Rhipidura rufiventris [setosa Group])

Not globally threatened. Common or fairly common to abundant in most of range. Density in lowland rainforest near R Brown, in SE New Guinea, estimated at 20 birds/10 ha. Subpopulation in Torres Strait considered Near Threatened, as numbers are small and limited to small islands of c. 100 m².

Northern Fantail (Chin-spot) (Rhipidura rufiventris nigromentalis)

Not globally threatened. Common or fairly common to abundant in most of its range. No substantial threats to its survival are known.