Chatham Island Fantail

Species: Rhipidura fuliginosa

Sub Species: Rhipidura fuliginosa penita Bangs

Although one of New Zealand's commonest birds, it is much loved for it's perky dancing character, aerobatics and tameness. The fantail is divided into subspecies on the main island groups and has a pied and a black phase. The black phase is mainly seen in the South Island. Like many New Zealand birds they are vulnerable at the nest to predation by rats.