Blue-Headed Fantail
BLUE-HEADED FANTAIL
Rhipidura cyaniceps
Rhipiduridae Family
common, endemic
L 180mm (7")
Bird #165 - May 2009
This is a Philippine endemic. The Kennedy guide lists 4 races: pinicola northwest Luzon; cyaniceps Catanduanes, northeast, central, and southern Luzon; sauli Tablas; albiventris Guimaras, Masbate, Negros, Panay, and Ticao. It has been split into Blue-headed Fantail Rhipidura cyaniceps, Tablas Fantail Rhipidura sauli and Visayan Fantail Rhipidura albiventris.
When we visited Sagada in January 2010, we saw this bird in a mixed flock with a lot of Elegant Tits. Our hiking guide said that this bird is the pangulo or leader of the flock and that as long as it is around, the rest of the flock will also stay around. It would have been nice to see more of this bird. It is supposed to be a common bird. We only got a quick look at two of them.
We got better looks in succeeding trips to the north.
Read MoreRhipidura cyaniceps
Rhipiduridae Family
common, endemic
L 180mm (7")
Bird #165 - May 2009
This is a Philippine endemic. The Kennedy guide lists 4 races: pinicola northwest Luzon; cyaniceps Catanduanes, northeast, central, and southern Luzon; sauli Tablas; albiventris Guimaras, Masbate, Negros, Panay, and Ticao. It has been split into Blue-headed Fantail Rhipidura cyaniceps, Tablas Fantail Rhipidura sauli and Visayan Fantail Rhipidura albiventris.
When we visited Sagada in January 2010, we saw this bird in a mixed flock with a lot of Elegant Tits. Our hiking guide said that this bird is the pangulo or leader of the flock and that as long as it is around, the rest of the flock will also stay around. It would have been nice to see more of this bird. It is supposed to be a common bird. We only got a quick look at two of them.
We got better looks in succeeding trips to the north.
BLUE-HEADED FANTAIL Rhipidura cyaniceps Northern Sierra Madre, Luzon, Philippines
birdendemicsierra madreblue headed fantailfantailthipidura cynicepsmarch 2011march2011
