Grey Fantail

Quick Facts

Length: 15 cm
Height: -
Weight: 9 grams
Colour: Grey above, white eyebrow, throat and tail edges.
Habitat: Most treed habitats
Food: Flying insects
Predators: -
Status: Critically endangered in NT. Secure in all other states and territories in Australia
Grey Fantail
Grey Fantail

The Grey Fantail is most easily recognised by its constantly fanned tail and agile aerial twists and turns. Both sexes are similar in appearance: grey above, with white eyebrow, throat and tail edges. This species is quite inquisitive and will closely approach an observer.

The Grey Fantail is found throughout Australia.

The Grey Fantail is found in most treed habitats.

Appears to undergo a partial northern migration during winter.

The Grey Fantail feeds on flying insects, which it catches by chasing them from the edge of foliage at all levels in the canopy.

The Grey Fantail builds its nest in a thin tree-fork, unusually between 2 and 5 metres from the ground. It is made of fine grass bound together with large amounts of spider web. The bottom of the nest is drawn out into a long stem, resembling that of a wine-glass. Both parents share nest-building, incubation of the eggs and feeding of the young when they hatch.

The Grey Fantail occasionally visits densely-planted urban gardens, particularly during the winter migration. Often makes use of eucalypt trees.

Author: Rosalyn Plunkett
Last Updated: Wednesday 17th July, 2013

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