Fantails (Rhipiduridae)

Mussau Fantail (Rhipidura matthiae) - HBW 11, p. 230

French: Rhipidure des Saint-Matthias German: Schwarzbrust-Fächerschwanz Spanish: Abanico de San Matías
Other common names: Matthias Fantail, Mussau Rufous Fantail

Taxonomy: Rhipidura matthiae Heinroth, 1902, Mussau Island, in St Matthias Group.
Forms a superspecies with R. rufidorsa, R. dahli and R. malaitae, as part of a larger species group that also includes R. teysmanni, R. superflua, R. dedemi, R. opistherythra, R. lepida, R. dryas, R. rufifrons and R. semirubra. Monotypic.

Distribution: Mussau I, in St Matthias Group (Bismarck Archipelago).