Fantail tales V: The black morph

Fantails occur all around New Zealand and four subspecies are recognised. The South Island fantail (Rhipidura fuliginosa fuliginosa) is the subspecies found, well, in the South Island. There’s also a North Island subspecies (R. f. placabilis), a Chatham Island subspecies (R. f. penita) and an extinct Lord Howe Island subspecies (R. f. cervina). The fantail in this photo is a black morph of the South Island fantail. About one in 20 South Island fantails is a black morph. The black morph occurs in the North Island, but is very rare. Black morphs have very little white on them, and no white eyebrows, so can never be mistaken for angry ewoks.