Hi all, I took some photos of a bird today, thinking it was a grey fantail, (Mainly because it behaved like one). When I got to see the photos on the computer screen, I see that it's not, but I don't know what it is. It sounds like the description of a Rufous Fantail, but doesn't have a reddish brown rump or a continuously fanned tail.
Your id is correct this bird is a juvenile and markings are yet to come in fully.
Note the marking above the brow and the still fluffy feathers. Lovely DoF on these photos too!
Alison
~~~~~~
"the earth is not only for humans, but for all animals and living things."
I think I can comfortably say this is a juvenile Grey Fantail. They often have brown markings like this one. Habitat you've photographed it in may also aid in better ID.
Thanks for your interest. The photos were taken near a river with many new growing wattles and blackwoods. The area was burnt by bushfire in 2009. There were grey fantails in the area, so it sounds like you are right. (How disappointing! - I haven't seen a Rufous Fantail here).
Hi again Roger, there are a few threads to the same topic. I posted some Fantails a few days ago asking the same question, I have Grey Fantails in my garden that have different colours, ranging from brownish to grey and even more black. I used to think the females, or juveniles were the brown birds, but that might not always be right. That was why I asked people to name the location where the bird was photographed, I thought it would be interesting to see if there were regional differences in the colouring? Now that we're all onto the topic, maybe we can get to the bottom of it? Maybe regions overlap and you get both colours?
M-L
Sorry, should have said again, the very young Grey Fantail in my recent photo is very grey with darker shades,with no brown on the little bird .
M-L
Would definitley agree here Akos..... the Rufous are quite distinctive. ( and more than a little frustrating as they flit around you )
Sunshine Coast Queensland