White-bellied Thicket-Fantail

About the White-bellied Thicket-Fantail

The white-bellied thicket fantail (Rhipidura leucothorax) is a species of bird in the family Rhipiduridae. This species is one of 47 in the genus Rhipidura. It is found in New Guinea. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical mangrove forests.

Medium-sized long-tailed bird (18cm, 19-19.7g). The plumage is blackish with a white belly, white spots on the chest, wings, side of the neck and a white tip of the tail. There is as well a short white stripe above the eye. The legs are dark - from dark gray to black. The tail is often upturned and fanned out. Males and females are similar. Juveniles are similar to adults, but browner in color, with spots on the breast and totally black bill.

White-bellied thicket fantail is similar to Black thicket fantail (R. maculipectus), but is differed by its white breast (which is reflected in its name). This species is also similar to Sooty thicket fantail (R. threnothorax) but that one has no white tip of the tale.

The majority of fantails are strong fliers, and some species can undertake long migrations, but white-bellied thicket fantail as well as... Wikipedia →