pufferfishnz Posted April 15, 2010 Report Share Posted April 15, 2010 Hi people I am wanting to know how to tell male and female fantail birds apart. Anyone know? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zev Posted April 15, 2010 Report Share Posted April 15, 2010 I do not think there is any sexual dimorphism in these lovely little birds, both build and attend the nest as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquila Posted April 15, 2010 Report Share Posted April 15, 2010 Sorry you can't tell with Fantails. There is a pied phase and black phase but males and females look the same. Pied phase has grey head, white eyebrow, brown back, yellow underparts with white and black bands across chest, black and white tail. Juveniles look a bit different from adults. Browner body, rusty-brown wing coverts, and indistinct chest markings. Black phase (mainly in South Is.) is all sooty black except white sport behind eye. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
repto Posted April 16, 2010 Report Share Posted April 16, 2010 it could be wishful thinking on my part but thought the yellow/cream was a bit brighter on the male? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted April 16, 2010 Report Share Posted April 16, 2010 maybe not wishful thinking repto the males i have observed here seem to do a more rapid and persistant chatter and get closer to you when trying to drive you off the nest site Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquila Posted April 16, 2010 Report Share Posted April 16, 2010 How do you know its the males? maybe not wishful thinking repto the males i have observed here seem to do a more rapid and persistant chatter and get closer to you when trying to drive you off the nest site Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
repto Posted April 16, 2010 Report Share Posted April 16, 2010 true, rapid and persistant chatter would indicate females? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted April 16, 2010 Report Share Posted April 16, 2010 How do you know its the males? that is easy when sitting at the BBQ the males hang around the beer cans and the females get excitd when a phone rings seriously i see them on a daily basis and dad is the one usually sticking food in the kids mouth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pufferfishnz Posted April 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2010 good to know. i just wanted to know because mum has them in her backyard all the time and she asked me if i knew how to tell the difference! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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