New Zealand Fantail
Rhipidura fuliginosa
Also known as: Fantail, Grey Fantail, New Zealand Black Fantail, New Zealand Gray Fantail, Nz Fantail
About This Species
An active, restless bird of forest and scrub that fans its distinctive tail while flitting after flying insects disturbed by its own movement or by larger animals and walkers. It often follows people along bush trails, darting close to snap up insects stirred up underfoot, which makes it one of the easiest small birds to observe closely without any special effort. Any time of year in forest understory offers good chances, since it is resident and active year-round.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- This species often approaches people rather than the other way around, so there is little need to close the distance; simply staying still and letting it forage nearby gives excellent views.
- Wild bird protections apply across its range in New Zealand and Australia, so nests and any young on branches should not be handled even if approached closely by an inquisitive adult.
- Standing quietly on a trail and allowing the bird to come and go is the least disruptive way to enjoy it.
LCAvesPasseriformesRhipiduridae
Seasonal Activity
270,744 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Rhipiduridae
Photo
Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons
CC-BY-SA-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.