Little Forktail
Enicurus scouleri
小燕尾
Introduction
A small passerine bird in the family Muscicapidae. Inhabits mountain streams, waterfalls, and small shaded forest puddles across the Tian Shan and Himalayan mountain ranges, southern China, and Taiwan. Breeds at elevations between 1200-3700m in subtropical or tropical moist lowland and montane forests. Notable for its energetic foraging behavior on slippery moss-covered rocks and distinctive constant tail-wagging. The specific epithet commemorates Dr. John Scouler of Glasgow.
Description
A small black and white bird with sexually monomorphic plumage. Upperparts black with a white forehead. A white wing band extends across the lower back. The tail is short and slightly forked with white in the outer feathers; there is a small black patch on the rump. Underparts are white with a black throat. Sexes appear identical.
Distribution & Habitat
Found throughout the Tian Shan and Himalayan mountain ranges, extending into southern China and Taiwan. Inhabits mountain streams, waterfalls, and small shaded forest puddles within subtropical and tropical moist lowland and montane forests. Breeding occurs at elevations between 1200 and 3700 meters.
Behavior & Ecology
Occurs either solitarily or in pairs. Forages energetically on moss-covered, wet, and slippery rocks, plunging underwater to pursue aquatic insects. Constantly wags and flicks the tail, occasionally making short sallies. Generally silent; the call is a rarely uttered sharp 'TZitTzit'.
Culture
The specific name scouleri commemorates Dr. John Scouler of Glasgow.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Muscicapidae
- Genus
- Enicurus
- eBird Code
- litfor1
Distribution
mountains of eastern Uzbekistan and northeastern Afghanistan through the Himalayas eastward to southeastern China and Taiwan, and southward to northern Indochina
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bird images and sounds sourced from GBIF, contributed by citizen scientists worldwide under Creative Commons licenses.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.