GREY FANTAIL

The Grey Fantail is a small bird, measuring about 15 cm in length. It has a distinct grey plumage with a white underside and a long fanned tail that is often held upright and spread out, displaying its white outer feathers.

The Grey Fantail is a common bird in Australia and can be found throughout the continent, including in forests, woodlands, parks, and gardens. It is also found in parts of New Guinea and nearby islands.

They are highly active and agile birds known for their acrobatic flying skills, constantly flitting and fluttering through the foliage in search of insects. They have a characteristic habit of fanning out their tails and constantly wagging them.

These birds are insectivorous, primarily feeding on insects such as flies, beetles, spiders, and caterpillars. They catch their prey by aerial hawking, meaning they fly out from a perch to snatch insects mid-air.

Grey Fantails breed between September and February in Australia. They build small cup-shaped nests made of fine grasses, bark, and spider webs, usually suspended from the end of a horizontal branch. The female lays 2-3 eggs, and both parents take turns incubating them for around two weeks.

Grey Fantails are known for their diverse and melodious songs. Their calls include a series of musical notes and trills, often accompanied by tail movements. They use their songs to communicate with mates, establish territories, and warn of potential threats.

While some Grey Fantails in Australia are sedentary year-round, others undertake seasonal migrations. They may move from higher elevations to lower altitudes during colder months or undertake shorter-distance movements within their range.

Like many bird species, these birds face habitat loss and degradation due to human activities.