Little Forktail
Enicurus scouleri
Silhouette: Andy Wilson · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyMuscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers, Robins, and Chats)
- GenusEnicurus (Forktails)
- SpeciesEnicurus scouleri (Little Forktail)
About the Little Forktail
The little forktail (Enicurus scouleri) is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. The specific name commemorates Dr. John Scouler of Glasgow. The sexes are alike, with black and white plumage. Black above, with white forehead; white band in wings extends across lower back, small, black rump patch; slightly forked, short tail with white in outer feathers; black throat, white below.
The little forktail is a bird of mountain streams, waterfalls and small shaded forest puddles; breeding between 1200-3700m. It is found in the Tian Shan and Himalayan mountain ranges, southern China and Taiwan. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.
They are either solitary or found in pairs. They forage energetically on moss-covered and wet slippery rocks. Their diet consists primarily of aquatic insects, and they plunge underwater to pursue prey. It constantly wags and flicks its tail, occasionally launching short sallies. They are generally silent, save for a rarely uttered sharp 'TZitTzit' call. Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Little Forktail in Taroko National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Taroko National Park
Collared Bush-Robin
Tarsiger johnstoniae
Plumbeous Water Redstart
Phoenicurus fuliginosus
Vivid Niltava
Niltava vivida
Formosan Whistling-Thrush
Myophonus insularis
White-tailed Robin
Myiomela leucura
Daurian Redstart
Phoenicurus auroreus
Rhyacornis fuliginosa
Rhyacornis fuliginosa
Ferruginous Flycatcher
Muscicapa ferruginea
Taiwan Shortwing
Brachypteryx goodfellowi
Snowy-browed Flycatcher
Ficedula hyperythra
White-rumped Shama
Copsychus malabaricus
Red-flanked Bluetail
Tarsiger cyanurus
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Namdapha National Park | 🇮🇳 India | |
| 2 | Khangchendzonga National Park | 🇮🇳 India | |
| 3 | Langtang National Park | 🇳🇵 Nepal | |
| 4 | Royal Manas National Park | 🇧🇹 Bhutan | |
| 5 | Taroko National Park | 🇹🇼 Taiwan | |
| 6 | Jim Corbett National Park | 🇮🇳 India | |
| 7 | Jiuzhaigou National Park | 🇨🇳 China | |
| 8 | Chitwan National Park | 🇳🇵 Nepal |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Little Forktail in Taroko National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Little Forktail sighting in Taroko National Park, based on 91 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Little Forktail in Taroko National Park?
December has the highest sighting rate for Little Forktail in Taroko National Park in our monthly data.