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Pied Fantail in partial moult

on 4th December 2009

This image by Myron Tay a.k.a. myrontay shows the Pied Fantail (Rhipidura javanica) with its distinctive long, fan-shaped tail held open. It was photographed
at the Singapore’s Chinese Garden. The bird was actively hunting for insects, fanning its tail and raising and lowering its wings to flush them out into the open.

Fantails are a delight to watch. They are lively, sometimes acrobatic, often approaching human observers to observe as they are being observed.

Note that there are 11 tail feathers (rectrices). As tail feathers are paired, with one member of each pair on each side of the tail, with no feather in the middle, obviously one feather has undergone moulting.

Moulting involves a new feather pushing out the old one from its follicle. So the bird had lost one tail feather. But a new feather has yet to be replaced. Moulting of feathers usually takes place one at a time and nearly all birds undergo partial moulting. Complete moulting is when all the feathers are replaced at the same time. But then with complete moulting, the bird is at a disadvantage as it is unable to fly.

This post is a cooperative effort between NaturePixels.org and BESG to bring the study of bird behaviour through photography to a wider audience.

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

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