Grey Fantail (7/24)

PASSERIFORMES: Rhipiduridae

Rhipidura albiscapa  

This cheeky bird followed me, flying within 20cm of me continuously as I climbed a steep trail. I'd like to think he was encouraging me in my struggle but he probably just wanted to take advantage of the insects I was disturbing as I walked.

"The delicate wineglass shaped nests built by this species in other places are not built on Norfolk Island. The dainty little cup woven of cobwebs and plant fibres is just the same but the long tail underneath is not present on Norfolk Island nests. The cup is placed directly onto a horizontal branch."*

*Hermes, Neil (1985). Birds of Norfolk Island. Wonderland Publications, Norfolk Island, p.49.