Rennell fantail

The Rennell fantail (Rhipidura rennelliana) is a species of bird in the family Rhipiduridae. It is endemic to Rennell Island (Solomon Islands).

Rennell fantail
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Rhipiduridae
Genus:	Rhipidura
Species:	R. rennelliana
Binomial name
Rhipidura rennelliana Mayr, 1931

Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.

Description

The plumage is mostly mouse-brown, while the color of throat is somewhat paler. There is a reddish stripe on the wing. The long tail, which the bird often spreads, is with a pale fringe. Avoids open spaces, preferring forest (mostly virgin ones). This is the only fantail on Rennell Island. The usual sound is piercing and squeaky.^[2]

Taxonomy

Rennell fantail (R. rennelliana) forms a superspecies with:^[3]

• Brown fantail (R. drownei)
• Makira fantail (R. tenebrosa)
• Streaked fantail (R. verreauxi)
• Kadavu fantail (R. personata)
• Samoan fantail (R. nebulosa)