Santa Cruz Fantail

Overview

Santa Cruz Fantail (Rhipidura melanolaema) is a species of Fantails (Rhipiduridae) in the order Perching Birds (Passerines).

Scientific Classification

Genus: Rhipidura; binomial: Rhipidura melanolaema; authority: Sharpe, 1879.

Distribution

Breeding range: Australasia.

Conservation Status

This taxon is listed as Extant (living) in the IOC World Bird List.

Remarks

Santa Cruz Fantail Rhipidura melanolaema (including agilis and utupuae) is split from the Rufous Fantail species complex on the basis of genetic divergence (only agilis examined) supported by differences in plumage and voice (Klicka et al. 2023; WGAC).