Fantails (piwakawaka in Maori; Rhipidura fuliginosa in Latin) are one of New Zealand's great little gems and with their persistant cheeping, nimble flitting about and all around cutie-   pie-ness, what's not to love? They're also quite friendly and will fly right up to you if you mimic their call (purse your lips together as tight as you can, and then suck in; alternatively, rub a damp piece of polystyrene on a bottle). They're also known to mercilessly tease cats ... well, my old one at least. DP

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