During our holiday in West Australia we saw a lot of Grey Fantails. When I look in The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia I am a little confused: the birds I see have a large white eyebrow, so I would think they are Mangrove Grey Fantails, but: when I look at the maps in this guide the Mangrove Grey Fantail seems to be a bird that's found more to the North. Can somebody confirm these photo's are of Mangrove Grey Fantails?
Henk van de Bovenkamp, The Netherlands
Not sure that I can be of much help, Henk, but I will try. Is it the same bird in all three photos as the final one looks darker?
You have not specified where this was in WA but according to the latest Field Guide, the Mangrove Fantail is found on the WA coast as far south as Shark Bay (Denham/ Monkey Mia area). It is also paler and smaller than the Grey Fantail which is found all over Australia. It does need mangrove forest nearby. Hopefully someone else will offer more clarification.
Sue
Thanks for your information! The last photo was taken on 30th june in the neighbourhood of Perth, the other photo's (probably of the same bird) were thaken 23th of June in het neighbourhood of Denmark
Henk
On location alone, I would say both are Grey Fantails. They certainly look like the ones I have photographed. The Mangrove Fantail would be much paler. Hope you enjoyed the holiday
Sue
nice shooting! These are hard to get in the frame.
Thanks for your reactions. Based on them I assume they are (normal) Grey Fantails