Willie Wagtail

Garden fantail

The garden fantail ( Rhipidura leucophrys ) is a passerine bird of the family of the fantail ( Rhipiduridae ). In Australia, the species is one of the most famous birds. The stocks are in its entire distribution area at the time as not at risk.

Features

The approximately 20cm long garden fantail has a glossy black plumage with white underside and white eye-streak over. Young birds are on the top is not deep black but rather dark gray, their wing tips are brownish. His partially melodic chirping, but interspersed with rhythmically -mechanical -sounding vocal elements he wears especially before night.

Occurrence

The distribution area of the garden compartments tail comprises large parts of Australia, the Solomon Islands, the Bismarck Archipelago, the Moluccas and some areas of New Guinea. The bird inhabits various habitats, such as parks, gardens, fields and forests. However, he avoids dense forests. Areas near water are preferred to dry.

Behavior

The birds are usually alone or in pairs to be found. Outside the breeding season, however, they join together to form larger swarms, sometimes associated with other species of birds. The diet consists of small invertebrates that examined the garden fantail on the ground. He moves the tail striking range of back and forth. The bird is often found near livestock herds to catch startled insects. The animals are used as a seat waiting, insects are captured in flight from the off.

Reproduction

The incubation period is usually in Australia from August to February, in the equatorial eastern breeding areas clutches can also be found throughout the year. The garden fantail builds on branches, poles or roofs a neat, cup -shaped nest made ​​of grass and cobwebs, which is auspolstert with hair. This plucking the bird sometimes directly from animals. Nests are often used more than once; old nests are made ​​of building materials for new ones. The nest usually consists of three cream-colored eggs with gray or brown spots that both parent birds incubate approximately two weeks. After 14 days, the young fledge. In breeding season, the pairs can breed up to four times. The older young birds often remain so long in close proximity to the parents until the next breeding slips; they are distributed by the adult birds from the breeding grounds.