Fantail - otherwise known as Piwakawaka - is one of our most popular birds and is commonly found all over the country including the towns and cities. In the South Island, some of the birds are very dark coloured and are lighter brown underneath. They are known for their wonderful aerial displays as they flit around trying to spy or catch an insect or two for their dinner. They live entirely on insects and usually catch them in flight. They nest in outer branches of trees using grass, moss, twigs and bark which is bound together with cobwebs and hair to make a soft nest.
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