Pied Fantail

Description:

The tips of the tail feathers are white. It has fuzzy - white chest feathers and a bow-tie- like strip on the chest. It spreads the tail every now and then to show a fan of dark brown and white feathers. It gives a beautiful song as it moves and darts from tree to tree.

Habitat:

It frequents trees that grow over dense or sparse undergrowth. If there is a cluster of trees by a rice field or swampy area, it stays there in the periphery.

Notes:

This bird is up and about at five a.m. As it moves under the trees, it gives off a squeaky but pleasant bird call that resembles the sound of rusty bike wheels. This particular pied fantail in the photo goes to its favorite tree every a.m. at about 5 : 30 or 6 :00, to do some acrobatics on a branch near my window. This kind of bird was observed by some neighbors including myself, to give chase to dogs and cats while squeeking continuously. The dogs and cats here seem accustomed to this bird's behavior. Filipinos call it Maria Capra.