Laurie,
They are a very regular species in Canberra gardens. Regular in small numbers.
This is the text from my book. Canberra Birds: A Report on the first 21 years
of the Garden Bird Survey.
Rufous Fantail Rhipidura rufifrons
This species is an inhabitant of forest and generally requires dense
multi-level vegetation, though it mostly stays in the shrub and low tree level.
It is rather less conspicuous in its behaviour and less confiding with people
than its close relatives. It is both a north-south and an altitudinal migrant.
It comes to our area for the summer but does not stay in the woodland and
suburbs but continues into the high country. Whilst in transit it can be found
in quite uncharacteristic open habitat, including all suburban areas. It does
not stay long, most records are of just one bird on one week, few records are
of birds staying for more than a few weeks. Few observers would not consider
one of these (most appealing) birds in their area as a highlight. Its monthly
pattern is unique, it shows probably the most extreme form of twin peak pattern
of any species. This shows on individual years' data but is even more marked
when all years are combined. It inhabits the suburbs only whilst in transit.
Unlike most other migrants the duration of migration and numbers of birds is
very similar both before and after January. Absent during winter, rare through
summer and with clear peaks in November and March. Long-term numbers have
fluctuated but appear to be stable.
Graphs on page: 102, Rank: 84, A = 0.00341, F = 8.85%, W = 6.2, R = 0.324%, G =
1.05.
Philip
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