A pied fantail’s tail has two dark central feathers, and opens to reveal white feathers. Fantails have white eyebrows, white and black chest bands and a buff underside. The black phase fantail (a genetic variation of the same species) is sooty black all over apart from a white tuft over the ear. This fantail has just been bathing in a tiny pool.
Fantails are important in Māori tradition. When the demigod Māui tried to conquer death by entering the body of Hine-nui-te-pō, the goddess of death, a fantail laughed and woke her. She closed her legs and killed Māui – so the presence of a fantail is sometimes seen as an omen of death.
Using this item
Reference: 10048614
by David Mudge
Photograph courtesy of the Department of Conservation.This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.