The New Zealand Fantail

The New Zealand Fantail (Rhipidura fuliginosa) is a darling little bird found throughout the country except in extremely cold areas.  The distinctive fanning of its tail is what gives the bird its common name, and it is one of our most recognised native species.  About 15cm (6 inches) long, fantails feed mostly on insects such as moths, flies, beetles and spiders, and this has meant it has been easy for them to adapt to living with human settlers. 

Fantails breed during spring and early summer, often raising several broods, and like to make their nests among the forked branches of small trees.  Nests are woven out of moss, bark, hair, dried grass etc., and frequently use lots of spider web.  The eggs are cream with grey and brown spots concentrated at the larger end of the egg.

Fantails are not afraid of people and will often enter buildings and dwellings in search of food.  They are the only bird I have seen that always remembers where they entered a room and consequently don’t panic when it comes time to leave again.

The Maori name for fantail is piwakawaka (say pee-wocka-wocka), and in their folklore it was believed this bird was a messenger bringing death or news of death.  A bit of an unfair reputation, I feel, for this lively little bird with its bright eyes and friendly cheep. 

Always enjoy birdsong,
Margaret.