Black-and-cinnamon fantail (Rhipidura nigrocinnamomea hutchinsoni)

A montane forest endemic fantail with a striking coloration unlike
any other member of its genus.

Context

A group of three individuals seen feeding, preening and bathing around one of the bird hides at Maputi Preserve in Bukidnon, Mindanao, Philippines.

 

Field notes

This species displays typical “fantail” behavior with tail fanning and restlessness, hopping around low branches in the forest.

During my first observations on Mount Kitanglad, in 2019 and 2022, this species was frequently encountered accompanying mixed-species feeding flocks, often alongside white-eyes, flowerpeckers, and small insectivorous passerines. Such flocks provide excellent opportunities to locate otherwise inconspicuous birds within the dense mountain forest.

To this day, Maputi Preserve remains the only place where the species can be observed and photographed at close range from a bird hide. It is common in many places such as Mt Kitanglad but remains very difficult to photograph there as it is always on the move and rarely comes in the open.

 

Key facts

The Black-and-cinnamon fantail appears to be confined to Mindanao itself. The subspecies Rhipidura nigrocinnamomea hutchinsoni is restricted to northern and eastern mountain ranges of the island.

Unlike most fantail species, this is a montane forest specialist, being found on all big mountain ranges of Mindanao from approximately 900 m to over 2,400 m above sea level on Mt Apo.

Like other members of the fantail family, it feeds primarily on insects captured from leaves, branches, and occasionally in short aerial pursuits.

 

Conservation

This species has been assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. Birdlife International has classified this fantail as a Restricted Range Species, occurring in Mindanao Endemic Bird Area (EBA).

The species is common within its very small range but its true dependence on intact forests and the potential use of mosaic habitats (agriculture combined with protected forests) has yet to be studied.

While not currently considered threatened, the Black-and-cinnamon fantail serves as a reminder that even common endemic species rely on the long-term protection of Mindanao’s remaining forests.

 

More photos from this observation

 

Other species from Mindanao can be found by browsing my Education resources.

 

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