Grey Fantail juveniles

The Grey Fantail’s aerial acrobatics, cheerful calls and confiding nature make it a well-known and much loved bush bird. Wide spread across most of Australia, there are many races (sub species) and much geographical plumage variation. In south east Australia, we have Rhipidura fuliginosa sub species alisteri.

Grey Fantails are migratory, resulting in seasonal variations in their numbers at the local level. Some of these tiny birds even migrate across Bass Strait – to and from Tasmania - where the sub species is albiscapa.

We recently came across an adult pair busy feeding their three young not long out of the nest. The young first fledge with a distinctive russet brown and buff plumage. We don’t often see this plumage as they soon commence a post juvenile moult and rapidly acquire some adult plumage characteristics (if you have a copy, see notes regarding sub species in The Australian Bird Guide, Menkhorst et al, p460).

These photos of Rhipidura fuliginosa alisteri juveniles and the parent birds were taken on 24/12/17 at Macleod Morass near Bairnsdale.

Please click on photos to enlarge.

One of three juvenile Grey Fantails not long out of the nest.

The young birds were fluffed up against the cool conditions.

In this pose the juveniles look very young however they could fly well and between feeds practised aerial acrobatics though they were not chasing insects so seemed to be dependent on their parents for food at this stage.

The young had a distinctive ruff of grey feathers around the back of their necks.

Two of the three young waiting for food to be delivered.

This young one is looking up to check the parent’s movements in expectation of food.

The young often begged for food in competition with their siblings.

Begging often included out-spread fluttering wings.

One of the parents takes a break from the hectic feeding activity.

Parent bird.

Parent about to fly.

It is a rare day out in the bush when one does not encounter at least one or two delightful Grey Fantails.