adult fanning its tail (Australia; 2006-06-22)
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Grey Fantail
Rhipidura albiscapa
Native Range:
Australian Region
Notes:
all of the approximately 40 fantail species are quite similar and thus have been lumped into one genus that is native to the Australasian Region; some of the species are mostly grey (or black) and white but others have varied and sometimes bright colors; these birds get their name from the fact that they routinely fan their tails and do other maneuvers such as twisting and turning their bodies as if excited or nervous; phylogenetically, they are quite closely related to monarch flycatchers (Monarchidae); the Grey Fantail is a familiar bird throughout much of the Australian region and has several distinguishable geographic races; little sexual dimorphism.
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