ðə spˈiːsiːz ɪz klˈoʊsli ɹᵻlˈeɪɾᵻd tə ðə ɹˈuːfəs fˈænteɪl ɹˈɪpɪdʒˌuːɹɚ ɹˈuːfɪfɹənz bˌʌt ɪɾ ɪz dˈɑːɹkɚ ænd dˈʌlɚɹ ɪn ɐpˈɪɹəns wɪð ɐ dˈɪfɹənt sˈɔŋ ænd fˈiːdɪŋ bᵻhˈeɪvjɚ.
The species is closely related to the rufous fantail (Rhipidura rufifrons) but it is darker and duller in appearance with a different song and feeding behaviour.