Passeriformes

Fantails (Rhipiduridae)

HBW 11, p. 200 Learn more about the Handbook of the Birds of the World - Volume 11 on the Lynx Edicions website.

• Small-bodied passerines with long tail rounded to strongly graduated, fan-shaped when spread; wings tapered; rather broad triangular bill flattened at base and with small hook at tip, double row of rictal bristles, moderately long legs; plumage mainly drab brown, rufous, white, grey or black, or various combinations of these, two species with blue and one with yellow.
• Oriental and Australasian Regions and south-west Pacific islands.
• Forest, especially rainforest, one species also in open habitats and urban areas.
• 1 genus, 44 species, 147 taxa.
• 2 species threatened; 2 subspecies extinct since 1600.