About the Manus Fantail
The Manus fantail is a bird species endemic to the Admiralty Islands of Papua New Guinea. It is a monotypic species, meaning it is the only one of its kind within its genus. Historically, the Manus fantail has been seen on Manus Island itself, but more recently it has been sighted on smaller surrounding islands like Tong, Rambutyo, and others in the San Miguel and Fedarb groups.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The Manus Fantail is a small, agile bird, measuring approximately 14.5 centimeters in length and weighing about 8.0 grams. Both males and females are identical in plumage. The upperparts, including the crown, nape, and back, are a bright, uniform cinnamon-red. The area between the eye and the bill is dark sooty-grey which makes their bright white cheeks stand out. The upper breast features a prominent black band, which transitions to a white lower breast and belly that is heavily marked with black spotting. It is dark brown with a rufous base and pale ashy-grey tips. Voice: The vocal repertoire of the Manus Fantail is not as complex as some of its relatives. Its song is generally described as a series of thin, high-pitched, and scratchy notes, lacking the melodious quality of some other fantail species.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in October · a winter visitor species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Peleng FantailRhipidura habibieiThe Peleng fantail is a fantail endemic to the mountainous areas of Peleng island in Indonesia.
Makira FantailRhipidura tenebrosaThe Makira fantail or dusky fantail is a species of bird in the family Rhipiduridae.
Mussau FantailRhipidura matthiaeThe Mussau fantail or Matthias fantail, is a fantail which is endemic to Mussau Island in the St. Matthias Islands of Papua New Guinea.
Learn the Manus Fantail for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.