The Philippine pied fantail (Rhipidura nigritorquis) is a medium-size species of bird in the family Rhipiduridae endemic to the Philippines. It was formerly considered conspecific with the Malaysian pied fantail.
| Philippine pied fantail | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Rhipiduridae |
| Genus: | Rhipidura |
| Species: | R. nigritorquis
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| Binomial name | |
| Rhipidura nigritorquis Vigors, 1831
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Description and taxonomy
editThis bird is of moderate size and has a long tail. It is commonly found in wooded areas and open spaces in lowland regions. Its upper body is a sooty gray color, while its underbody is white. It features a black band on its chest and a black face, with a distinct white throat and brow. It frequently moves its tail from side to side, displaying its white tips. The bird's song is composed of diverse, somewhat unmusical, and scratchy whistled phrases.[1]
Other names by which this bird is referred to are Maria Capra (Philippines),[2] and tarerekoy (Visayas, Philippines).[3]
It differs from the Oriental magpie-robin with its white belly, all black tail, paler gray throat and breast in female, smaller size especially its bill and wing It also considerably differs vocally. [4]
Ecology and behavior
editNot much data on the diet of this specific species. Diet consists mostly of insects. Joins mixed flocks to other insectivorous birds, even follows large mammals as they flush insects when they move.
Breeding season is from March to June. Nest is a cup made from grass, roots and fibres lined with spider webs. Clutch size is usually 2 to 3 eggs.
Known to be very aggresive against potential predators, diving on humans, cats and dogs when breeding[5]
Habitat and conservation status
editThis species is extremely adaptable to almost any habitat except montane forest, found in lowland forest, second growth, agricultural areas, scrub and parks. The IUCN has classified the species as least concern as it is common throughout its wide range. Its adaptabllity to able to thrive in degraded habitat has made one of the few Philippine endemic birds that does not have a declining population.[6]
References
edit
- ^ "Philippine Pied Fantail - eBird". ebird.org. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
- ^ Birds of Makati, Blog
- ^ Kennedy, Robert S. A Guide to the Birds of the Philippines
- ^ del Hoyo, Josep; Collar, Nigel; Christie, David (2020). "Philippine Magpie-Robin (Copsychus mindanensis), version 1.0". Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.phimar1.01species_shared.bow.project_name. ISSN 2771-3105.
- ^ del Hoyo, Josep; Collar, Nigel; Christie, David (2020). "Philippine Magpie-Robin (Copsychus mindanensis), version 1.0". Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.phimar1.01species_shared.bow.project_name. ISSN 2771-3105.
- ^ IUCN (2016-10-01). Rhipidura nigritorquis: BirdLife International: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T103709532A104319103 (Report). International Union for Conservation of Nature. doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2016-3.rlts.t103709532a104319103.en.