The fantail or piwakawaka is a much-loved bird, as they frequent gardens across the country, flitting about with their large fan-like tails. The ‘flitting’ of the fantail is related to a hunting tactic called hawking, where insects are caught on the wing. Fantails use their tail to stop in mid-air and then dart in a different direction. This means fantails often come across as friendly, however they are generally just feeding on insects we have disturbed.
During mating season, they form territorial pairs, but can be seen in flocks in the winter months, catching insects together.
The most common fantail is the pied fantail with a cinnamon breast and belly, and a brown back, however the fantail also comes in a black colour morph. Black fantails are rare in the North Island, and make up less than 5% of the South Island population.
Fantails are good at utilizing a wide range of habitats, hence their widespread and common nature.
You can always have a fantail in your garden with a Blazen.Metal fantail bang’n bird – choose from fanned or perching, both available in traditional, koru or insect inlay. 25% off for the month of January.
Bibliography
Dawson, J., & Lucas, R. (2000). Nature Guide to the New Zealand Forest. Auckland: Random House.
Moon, G. (2002). A Photographic Guide to Birds of New Zealand. Auckland: New Holland Publishers.
Powlesland, R.G. 2013 [updated 2017]. New Zealand fantail. In Miskelly, C.M. (ed.) New Zealand Birds Online. www.nzbirdsonline.org.nz