Black thicket fantail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black thicket fantail |
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| Genus: |
Rhipidura
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| Species: |
maculipectus
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The black thicket fantail (Rhipidura maculipectus) is a small bird that belongs to the Rhipiduridae family. You can find this special bird in the Aru Islands and New Guinea. It's one of 47 different kinds of fantails in the Rhipidura group.
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What Does the Black Thicket Fantail Look Like?
This bird is about the size of your hand, measuring 18-19 centimeters (about 7-7.5 inches) long. It weighs around 18-19 grams, which is about the same as a few quarters. Its feathers are mostly blackish. It has cool white spots on its chest and wings. The tip of its tail is also white.
You might notice a short white stripe just above its eye. There's also a white spot on the side of its neck. The black thicket fantail often holds its tail pointing upwards and spread out like a fan. Its eyes are dark brown, and its beak is black with a pinkish color underneath.
Differences Between Males, Females, and Young Birds
Male and female black thicket fantails look quite similar. However, females usually have fewer white spots. Their belly area might also be a bit paler. Young birds, called juveniles, are mostly sooty black. They have a faint white spot above their eye. The tips of their tail feathers are also white.
How It Compares to Other Fantails
The black thicket fantail looks a lot like the White-bellied thicket fantail (R. leucothorax). But the white-bellied fantail has a white chest, which is why it got its name! It's also similar to the Sooty thicket fantail (R. threnothorax). The main difference is that the sooty thicket fantail does not have a white tip on its tail.
Where Does the Black Thicket Fantail Live and What Does It Do?
Most fantail birds are very good at flying. Some can even fly long distances when they migrate. But the black thicket fantail, along with its relatives like the sooty and white-bellied thicket fantails, are not strong fliers. They need to land often to rest.
These birds are quite shy and hard to spot. They like to live in subtropical or tropical forests. You can find them in moist lowland forests or in tropical mangrove forests. These are special forests that grow in salty water along coastlines.
What Do They Eat?
Like other fantails, black thicket fantails love to eat insects. They usually hunt for their food very close to the ground, often within 1-2 meters (about 3-6 feet). They catch insects while flying. They will quickly dart out from a low branch to grab an insect in the air.
What Does It Sound Like?
The black thicket fantail has a unique voice. Its song sounds like it's rising, ringing, and metallic. It often ends with a sound like "wee-chuv!"
