Image via Macaulay Library
Fan-tailed Grassbird
- Scientific name
- Catriscus brevirostris
- Family
- Locustellidae
- Conservation status
- Least concern
- Habitat
- Grassland
- Wing shape
- Narrow
- Tail shape
- Fanned
Where it came from
The fan-tailed grassbird (Catriscus brevirostris) was first described by the ornithologist William John Swainson in 1838. It represents a specialized member of the Cisticolidae family, evolved to navigate the dense, reedy wetlands and rank grasslands of sub-Saharan Africa. Its distinctive physical form, characterized by a narrow wing structure and an exceptionally graduated, fanned tail, is an evolutionary adaptation for maneuvering through thick vegetation where flight agility is more vital than high-speed travel.
The species is noted for its secretive nature and its tendency to remain hidden within the tall grass, which has made it a subject of fascination for field ornithologists and conservationists alike. Its design, if one considers its biological evolution, is a study in functional concealment; the plumage often mirrors the muted tones of its environment, allowing it to thrive undisturbed in riparian corridors. The species remains a key indicator of habitat health within the African wetlands it calls home.
Generated by Pi, the collecto.rs collecting companion
Who's collecting this
Real birds collectors on collecto.rs who have this in their public collection.
About Fan-tailed Grassbird
Fan-tailed Grassbird is a bird in the Birdwatching catalog on collecto.rs. Catalog data is sourced from eBird. No public birds collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
How many collectors track Fan-tailed Grassbird on collecto.rs?
Fan-tailed Grassbird doesn't have any public collectors on collecto.rs yet. Sign up to add it and become the first.
Can I track my own copy of Fan-tailed Grassbird?
Yes. collecto.rs is free — sign up to log your bird, upload photos, record condition, edition, and acquisition cost, and connect with other birdwatching collectors. Your collection stays private by default.
Where does the Fan-tailed Grassbird catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for Fan-tailed Grassbird is sourced from eBird. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.
Is collecto.rs birds tracking free?
Yes. Tracking your birds is free — no paid tier required to catalog items, upload photos, or share your collection.
Track every bird you own
Free. Fun. Collection photos, notes, organization, value tracking, friends — all in one place.
Sign up free
