Description
The white-browed fantail (Rhipidura aureola) is a small passerine bird found in South and Southeast Asia. It measures about 18 cm (7 inches) in length, including its tail, which it frequently spreads out in a fan shape. The bird gets its name from the prominent white eyebrow, that stands out against its otherwise dark head. Its upperparts are primarily dark greyish-brown, while the underparts are white. Its long tail is dark with white edges, which are particularly visible when the tail is fanned out. It is similar to the white-spotted fantail (Rhipidura albogularis), which has a less prominent white eyebrow, has a dark chest with white spots, and a broad white throat patch.
Diet & habitat
The white-browed fantail is highly adaptable, and thrives in open woodlands, deciduous forests, gardens, and scrublands. It is often found near water sources, where insect activity is high. It feeds mainly on a variety of small flying insects. This bird typically feeds by sallying out from a perch to snatch its prey in the air, typically after flushing it out with its moving tail, a behavior that is characteristic of fantails. The white browed fantail’s active foraging style and preference for lower tree canopies make it a conspicuous presence in its natural environment.
Nesting
The breeding season of the white-browed fantail varies depending on its geographical location but generally occurs from March to June. During this time, males engage in courtship displays that include fanning their tails and performing aerial flights to attract females. The nest is a delicate, cup-shaped structure made from fine grasses, rootlets, and cobwebs, often placed on a tree branch or in a shrub.
Females typically lay 2 to 3 eggs, which are white or pale pink with brownish spots. Both parents take part in the incubation, which lasts for about 12 to 14 days. After hatching, the chicks are fed by both parents and fledge from the nest about 12 to 15 days later. The parents continue to care for the fledglings for a short period after they leave the nest.
Status
The white-browed fantail is classified as least concern on the IUCN Red List due to its wide distribution and stable population. Although the species is not currently threatened, it faces potential risks from habitat loss due to deforestation and changes in land use.
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