Nominate has forehead dull mid-rufous. Crown and mantle mid grey-brown, remainder of upperparts rufous, upperwing grey-brown, tail slate-grey, narrow rufous band at base,outer R extensively tipped white, chin and throat white, breast band black with moderate white scaling on posterior edge, belly creamy white, flanks and undertail-coverts light cinnamon, iris dark brown, bill black, underside of lower mandible pale pink, legs dark greyish-brown to black. Sexes alike. Juvenile is duller than adult, with markings less distinct. Races form three groups differing in plumage. Streptophora is like nominate, but crown and back washed brighter rufous, flanks darker, undertail-coverts richer, white tips of R narrower.
Not Threatened
Nominate has forehead dull mid-rufous. Crown and mantle mid grey-brown, remainder of upperparts rufous, upperwing grey-brown, tail slate-grey, narrow rufous band at base,outer R extensively tipped white, chin and throat white, breast band black with moderate white scaling on posterior edge, belly creamy white, flanks and undertail-coverts light cinnamon, iris dark brown, bill black, underside of lower mandible pale pink, legs dark greyish-brown to black. Sexes alike. Juvenile is duller than adult, with markings less distinct. Races form three groups differing in plumage. Streptophora is like nominate, but crown and back washed brighter rufous, flanks darker, undertail-coverts richer, white tips of R narrower.
16-17 cm, 7.2-10 g
Taxonomy: Rhipidura dryas Gould, 1843, Port Essington, north coast of Australia. Forms a superspecies with R. rufifrons and R. semirubra, and all three often considered conspecific; present species differs in morphology (longer tail more strongly graduated) and plumage. (source: Handbook of the Birds of World)
Subspecies and Distribution:
- * celebensis Büttikofer, 1892 - Tanahjampea and Kalao, in Bonerate Is. * mimosae Meise, 1929 - Kalaotoa (E of Kalao). * semicollaris Statius Muller, 1843 - Lesser Sundas (Flores, Alor, Wetar, Sawu, Roti, Timor).
Mangroves, coastal wooded habitats, monsoon woodland, primary and secondary lowland and hill forest, forest edge and montane forest, occasionally plantations and other cultivated areas.
Resident.
Insect, particularly bugs, hymenopterans, lepidopterans, flies and beetles, prey in length range 1-7 mm. Forages from ground to canopy, mainly in understorey to lower middle stage. Joins mixed-specie foraging flocks.
Not assessed.
Season Nov-Feb in Australia, nest and young in oct on Flores, nest with young in Apr on Roti. Nest a small cup of fine fibres bound externally with spider web, usually with tail hanging from underside, external diameter 51 mm, depth 38 mm, internal diameter 32 mm, placed in small fork on horizontal branch, usually less than 3 m from ground. Clutch 2-3 eggs, cream, off-white or buff, with small brown, yellow-brown or reddish-brown spots.