Fantail in Love

Posted on:  |  National Museum of the Philippines

In celebrating #Valentine’s Day, here is the Philippine fantail Rhipidura nigritorquis (see photo of a pair Phil. fantail), a Philippine endemic found throughout the country.  This insect-eating bird is fairly common and can be encountered even in vegetated urban cities near coastlines. 

Have you noticed the fan-shaped tail?

Fantails are protective parents, that during the breeding season, they will attack any intruders who get near or under the nesting tree even if it includes a cat, a dog, and sometimes even humans!

And if you’re living in Manila and other coastal cities in the country, its sweet calls may wake you up in the morning! 

Compared to other animal groups, birds, in general, are “monogamous”, a habit of having only one mate at a time! A sweet manner fitted for this Valentine’s.

Text and video by NMP Zoology Division

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