The Visayan blue fantail (Rhipidura samarensis) is a species of bird in the family Rhipiduridae. It is endemic to the Philippines on the islands of Bohol, Leyte and Samar. Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forests. It was previously conspecific with the Mindanao blue fantail.
| Visayan blue fantail | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Rhipiduridae |
| Genus: | Rhipidura |
| Species: | R. samarensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Rhipidura samarensis (Steere, 1890)
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Description and taxonomy
editEBird describes it as "A fairly small, long-tailed bird of lowland and foothill forest on Bohol, Leyte, and Samar islands. Overall dull blue in color with a paler belly. Often pumps tail up and down. Forages in the understory for insects and often joins mixed-species flocks. Similar in size and shape to Celestial, Short-crested, and Black-naped Monarchs, but darker blue with a contrasting pale blue brow, tail, and wing patch. Song is a slightly ascending series of medium-pitched, upslurred whistled notes, increasing in volume. Also gives a nasal, buzzing “gew!”
It was previous conspecific with the Mindanao blue fantail and is differentiated by its darker crown, ligher blue wing fringes and tail, a slower paced call and through molecular studies. [2]
This species is monotypic and has no subspecies.
Ecology and behavior
editThe diet of the Mindanao blue fantail consists of insects. It is often observed in mixed flocks with other birds such as Rufous paradise flycatcher, Black-naped monarch, Celestial monarch, Philippine leaf warbler, Short-crested monarch, Yellow-bellied whistler, Visayan babbler and Visayan pygmy babbler.[2][3]
Breeding has been recorded from February to August. Nests in low bushes. Not much else information on breeding habits.[3]
Habitat and conservation status
editIt is found in tropical moist lowland forest up to 1,200 meters above sea level,
IUCN has assessed this bird as least-concern species. Occurs in a few protected areas like Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape in Bohol and Samar Island Natural Park but actual protection and enforcement from illegal logging and hunting are lax.[4][5]
References
edit- ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Rhipidura samarensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T103708706A104310737. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T103708706A104310737.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- ^ a b Boles, Walter; Christie, David (2020). "Mindanao Blue-Fantail (Rhipidura superciliaris), version 1.0". Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.blufan1.01species_shared.bow.project_name. ISSN 2771-3105.
- ^ a b del Hoyo, Josep; Collar, Nigel; Christie, David (2020). "Visayan Blue-Fantail (Rhipidura samarensis), version 1.0". Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.visblf1.01species_shared.bow.project_name. ISSN 2771-3105.
- ^ IUCN (2016-10-01). Rhipidura samarensis: BirdLife International: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T103708706A104310737 (Report). International Union for Conservation of Nature. doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2016-3.rlts.t103708706a104310737.en.
- ^ IUCN (2016-10-01). Rhipidura superciliaris: BirdLife International: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T103708673A94089569 (Report). International Union for Conservation of Nature. doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2016-3.rlts.t103708673a94089569.en.
- Sánchez-González, L.A., and R.G. Moyle. 2011. Molecular systematic and species limits in the Philippine fantails (Aves: Rhipidura). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 61: 290-299