White-throated Fantail nesting

on 12th August 2013

“My wife and I spent the day in this hill resort to image a few birds that some friends require for a conservation project. We were on our way back when we saw a White-throated Fantail (Rhipidura albicollis atrata) dart under the overgrowth by the road side. Traffic was busy but managed to pull to the side and were delighted to spot a nest with two juveniles just at eye level (above, below). The nest is ~ 1.2 meters high, at a busy road side, built under the overhanging foliage. It has the classical ‘untidy tail’.

“We allowed ourselves an observation of 7 feeding episodes over 11 minutes and then left. As usual, no flash was used. Parents appeared clam at our presence as we stayed in the car.

“[The above-left image shows the adult feeding a chick; above-right image shows an adult looking for a faecal sac to remove.] There were many immature/juvenile White-throated Fantails on this trip, [one is shown below].

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
17th July 2013

Location: 1,600m ASL, Cameron Highlands, Malaysia
Habitat: A public road

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

2 responses

  1. It’s interesting that this Fantail looks very like a dark version of the Australian Grey Fantail, and yet the nest seems much larger and stronger. Theirs (Aust.) looks like a wine glass without the base.

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