Image via Macaulay Library
Spotted Fantail
- Scientific name
- Rhipidura perlata
- Family
- Rhipiduridae
- Conservation status
- Least concern
- Habitat
- Forest deciduous
- Wing shape
- Rounded
- Tail shape
- Fanned
Where it came from
The Spotted Fantail, scientifically classified as Rhipidura perlata, is a passerine bird native to the Sundaic region, specifically inhabiting the lowland forests of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo. Ornithologically categorized within the Rhipiduridae family, this species was historically documented by naturalists during the nineteenth-century exploration of Southeast Asian biodiversity, as colonial-era researchers sought to catalog the distinct avifauna of the Indo-Malayan realm.
The bird is characterized by its distinctively rounded wings and a broad, fanned tail, which it habitually spreads while foraging for insects in the forest understory. Its design—an evolutionary adaptation for maneuverability in dense vegetation—was first formally described in its current taxonomic context to differentiate it from other fantail species. It is widely recognized in ornithological circles for its restless behavior and the intricate, rhythmic fanning motions that serve as both a social signal and an efficient hunting technique.
Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI
Who's collecting this
Real birds collectors on collecto.rs who have this in their public collection.
About Spotted Fantail
Spotted Fantail 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 Spotted Fantail on collecto.rs?
Spotted Fantail 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 Spotted Fantail?
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 Spotted Fantail catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for Spotted Fantail 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
