Only twice have I seen a black phase fantail in the North Island, where their numbers are less than 1% of the total fantail population. In the South Island they are more common, maybe 5% of the total number, and more so in some areas than others. This week I photographed one at Gordon Park, located just outside Whanganui City, and it appears to be a juvenile because of the yellow at the base of its bill. A lovely little bird to watch flitting around the forest and part of a family group of five of six birds.
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