# Northern Fantail

> Northern Fantail (Rhipidura rufiventris). Under the BirdLife/IUCN and Burung Indonesia taxonomy, Rhipidura rufiventris is the Timor fantail of Timor and nearby islands in Nusa Tenggara; fantails of Maluku and Papua once included in it (such as the northern fantail, R. isura) are now separate species, although the IOC list still lumps them as the northern fantail. A fanned tail identifies the family but not the species by itself.

Source: https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/rhipidura-rufiventris/ · Updated 1 October 2026 · English · Bahasa Indonesia: https://panduanhewan.org/id/spesies/rhipidura-rufiventris/
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**Review status:** This guide was compiled from the listed species sources and observation records; it has not been reviewed by a taxonomic specialist. GBIF records are neither a census nor proof of native range.

## Quick answer

The Northern Fantail (*Rhipidura rufiventris*) is a bird in the family Rhipiduridae. In Indonesia, observation records come mainly from Papua, Maluku, Nusa Tenggara. Diet: insect-eater (insectivore); a carnivore. IUCN Red List status: Least Concern.

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | *Rhipidura rufiventris* |
| Indonesian name | Kipasan dada-lurik |
| Group | Birds |
| Family | Rhipiduridae |
| Observation records | Papua, Maluku, Nusa Tenggara |
| Taxonomic group | Passeriformes |
| GBIF records | 4,521 human-observation records, 2016–2026 |
| Data retrieved | 2026-09-23 |
| IUCN status | Least Concern · [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/5231729) · checked 1 October 2026 |
| Diet type | Carnivore (meat-eater) — insect-eater (insectivore) · [AVONET bird trait database (Tobias et al. 2022)](https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/AVONET_morphological_ecological_and_geographical_data_for_all_birds_Tobias_et_al_2021_Ecology_Letters_/16586228) |
| Reproduction | Laying eggs (oviparous) · [Vigie-Nature École (MNHN)](https://www.vigienature-ecole.fr/en/node/352) |
| Active | Diurnal (active by day) · [EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt](https://esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E095/178/BirdFuncDat.txt) |

## What is the Northern Fantail?

Northern Fantail refers to Rhipidura rufiventris, in the genus Rhipidura, family Rhipiduridae, and order Passeriformes. The scientific name follows the accepted taxon in the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Common names can vary between places; the scientific name distinguishes this species from relatives.

Evidence: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon](https://www.gbif.org/species/5231729)

## What is known about the Northern Fantail?

Under the BirdLife/IUCN and Burung Indonesia taxonomy, Rhipidura rufiventris is the Timor fantail of Timor and nearby islands in Nusa Tenggara; fantails of Maluku and Papua once included in it (such as the northern fantail, R. isura) are now separate species, although the IOC list still lumps them as the northern fantail. A fanned tail identifies the family but not the species by itself.

Read that fact alongside the scientific name and species source, not as proof from an unclear photograph. Populations, ages and taxonomic limits can differ; when identification is uncertain, record the broader group.

Evidence: [Species account — background reading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_fantail)

## How many Indonesian records name the Northern Fantail?

When checked on 2026-09-23, the GBIF search returned 4,521 human-observation records from Indonesia under this species name for 2016–2026. That is a count of indexed records, not an estimate of population, abundance or unique individuals. Observation effort can vary by location, and the count may change as records are added or identifications revised.

Evidence: [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=5231729&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)

## Where were observations reported?

Place labels appearing in the results include Papua, Maluku, Nusa Tenggara. They are labels attached to records, not a complete range map or evidence that the species occurs only there. Some labels may be broad or inconsistent. Check the underlying records before using the location information for field decisions.

Evidence: [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=5231729&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)

## How can you observe the Northern Fantail?

Record the date, broad location, voice and visible plumage without approaching nests or young. A clear, distant photograph is more useful than disturbing a bird for a closer view. A well-documented sighting helps others check the identification without turning one encounter into a conservation-status claim.

## Explore related animals

To explore this group further, compare Northern Fantail with Willie Wagtail, Malaysian Pied-Fantail, White-headed Munia. These links reflect a shared genus, family, order, class or catalogue group; taxonomic proximity does not imply identical habitat needs or conservation status.

## Scientific classification of the Northern Fantail

| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Rhipiduridae |
| Genus | *Rhipidura* |
| Species | *Rhipidura rufiventris* |

Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## Common questions about the Northern Fantail

### What is the scientific name of the Northern Fantail?

The scientific name of the Northern Fantail is *Rhipidura rufiventris*, in the family Rhipiduridae and the order Passeriformes. In Indonesian it is called Kipasan dada-lurik.

### What kind of animal is the Northern Fantail?

The Northern Fantail is a bird in the family Rhipiduridae. By diet it is a carnivore (meat-eater): a insect-eater (insectivore).

### Where does the Northern Fantail live in Indonesia?

Observation records of the Northern Fantail summarised in this guide mainly come from Papua, Maluku, Nusa Tenggara. That list is not a complete range map.

### What does the Northern Fantail eat?

The Northern Fantail is a insect-eater (insectivore). That makes it a carnivore (meat-eater). Source: [AVONET bird trait database (Tobias et al. 2022)](https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/AVONET_morphological_ecological_and_geographical_data_for_all_birds_Tobias_et_al_2021_Ecology_Letters_/16586228).

### How does the Northern Fantail reproduce?

The Northern Fantail reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). Source: [Vigie-Nature École (MNHN)](https://www.vigienature-ecole.fr/en/node/352).

### Is the Northern Fantail nocturnal?

The cited source records the Northern Fantail as diurnal (active by day). Source: [EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt](https://esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E095/178/BirdFuncDat.txt).

See also [the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/nocturnal-and-diurnal-animals/).

### What is the scientific classification of the Northern Fantail?

Scientific classification of the Northern Fantail: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Aves, order Passeriformes, family Rhipiduridae, genus *Rhipidura*, species *Rhipidura rufiventris*.

Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c), adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.

### Is the Northern Fantail endangered?

No, according to the global IUCN assessment. On the IUCN Red List, the Northern Fantail is listed as Least Concern: it does not qualify for a threatened category or for Near Threatened in the global assessment. Source: [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/5231729), checked 1 October 2026.

This global category is separate from legal protection in Indonesia. To check whether the Northern Fantail is a protected species, consult the current national list of [protected species](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/protected/) or contact the local [BKSDA](https://panduanhewan.org/en/bksda-offices/) (natural resources conservation office).

## Sources & references

1. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon](https://www.gbif.org/species/5231729)
2. [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=5231729&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)
3. [iNaturalist — exact species taxon and community observations](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/8162)
4. [Species account — background reading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_fantail)
5. [AVONET bird trait database (Tobias et al. 2022)](https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/AVONET_morphological_ecological_and_geographical_data_for_all_birds_Tobias_et_al_2021_Ecology_Letters_/16586228)
6. [Vigie-Nature École (MNHN)](https://www.vigienature-ecole.fr/en/node/352)
7. [EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt](https://esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E095/178/BirdFuncDat.txt)
8. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## Keep exploring

- [Willie Wagtail](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/rhipidura-leucophrys/)
- [Malaysian Pied-Fantail](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/rhipidura-javanica/)
- [White-headed Munia](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/lonchura-maja/)
- [Metallic Starling](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/aplonis-metallica/)
- [Pied Bushchat](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/saxicola-caprata/)
- [Black-naped Monarch](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/hypothymis-azurea/)

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Cite: PanduanHewan. (2026). Northern Fantail. PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/rhipidura-rufiventris/