Piwakawaka (Fantail) - Single Sided Puzzle
Known for its friendly ‘cheet cheet’ call and energetic flying antics, the aptly named Fantail is one of the most common and widely distributed native birds in New Zealand. It is easily recognised by its long tail which opens to a fan. It has a small head and bill. Fantails use their broad tails to change direction quickly while hunting for insects. They sometimes hop around upside-down amongst tree ferns and foliage to pick insects from the underside of leaves. Their main prey are moths, flies, spiders, wasps, and beetles, although they sometimes also eat fruit. They seldom feed on the ground. The Fantail’s lifespan is relatively short (the oldest bird recorded here was 3 years old). Fantails stay in pairs all year, The success of the Fantail is largely due to it’s prolific and early breeding. The widespread distribution of the fantail can be attributed to its utilisation of a wide variety of habitats, including both native and exotic forest and shrub land habitats. It is widespread in extensive native forest blocks, small forest patches, scrubland, exotic plantations, farm shelterbelts, orchards, and well‐treed suburban parks and gardens. The Fantail is one of the few native bird species in New Zealand that has been able to adapt to an environment greatly altered by humans.