Photo: Lip Kee Yap from Singapore, Republic of Singapore / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Sunda Forktail
Enicurus velatus
Sunda Forktail (Enicurus velatus) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of South & Southeast Asia.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Sunda Forktail (Enicurus velatus) is a member of the Muscicapidae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 33 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Muscicapidae Chats, Old World Flycatchers
- Genus Enicurus
- Species velatus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 33 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Muscicapidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Sunda Forktail hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of rivers and riverside habitats, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Sunda Forktail is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Sunda Forktail (Enicurus velatus) belongs to the Muscicapidae family of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR montane Sumatra and Java.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 33 g, with a wing length of about 7.5 cm and a tail of around 6.9 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 103,000 km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Sunda Forktail?
The Sunda Forktail is a small bird that weighs around 33 g.
Where does the Sunda Forktail live?
The Sunda Forktail is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR montane Sumatra and Java, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Sunda Forktail belong to?
The Sunda Forktail (Enicurus velatus) belongs to the Muscicapidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Sunda Forktail eat?
The Sunda Forktail hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Sunda Forktail migrate?
The Sunda Forktail is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Sunda Forktail endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
How large is the Sunda Forktail's range?
The Sunda Forktail has a mapped global range of about 103,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
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