Australia
SpeciesField NotesLog inDownload

Field notes

Stay in the loop

Get updates, new features, and Australian birding news.

By subscribing, I agree to receive BirdUp Australia updates, new features, and Australian birding news.

Australia
Download for iOSDownload for AndroidSpeciesField NotesRSSNewsletterBrandPrivacyTerms

BirdUp Australia Pty Ltd © 2026. Made in Australia for Australian birders.

  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Rhipiduridae
  4. ›
  5. Rhipidura
  6. ›
  7. Mangrove Fantail
Mangrove Fantail
Photo · De Vis, 1884

BirdUp · Species

Mangrove Fantail

Rhipidura phasianaDe Vis, 1885

Updated 21 March 2026

Origin: Native
Order
PASSERIFORMES
Family
Rhipiduridae
Genus
Rhipidura

At a glance

The Mangrove Fantail is a small bird, about 14–16 cm long, native to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
14–16 cm
Origin
Native
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Very common
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Mangrove Fantail look like?

The Mangrove Fantail is a small bird, about 14–16 cm long and weighing 4–8 g.

The mangrove fantail is a species of bird in the family Rhipiduridae. It is found in the Aru Islands and along the coast of southeastern New Guinea, western and northern Australia.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
14–16 cm
Weight
4–7.8 g

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Mangrove Fantail?

The Mangrove Fantail is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Mangrove Fantail eat?

The Mangrove Fantail feeds on terrestrial invertebrates, usually foraging in pairs or alone.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

3 photos

The BirdUp app

Log your next Mangrove Fantail in the field

A pocket field journal for 850+ Australian birds. Offline-first, smart ID, and a lifelist that travels with you.

Get the appRead field notes
Spotted something wrong on this page? Report incorrect info

02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Mangrove Fantail live in Australia?

The Mangrove Fantail is native to Australia, recorded across 15 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingSouth-west Trans-Fly (south-central New Guinea), south coast of south-east New Guinea and west WA to north-west QLD (coastal north Australia)

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Vagrant
  • Breeding
  • Resident

4 regions recorded