[2] The white-spotted fantail was formally described in 1831 by the French naturalist René Lesson under the binomial name Muscicapa (Muscylva) albogularis.

[3][4] It is now one of over 60 fantails placed in the genus Rhipidura that was introduced in 1827 by the naturalists Nicholas Vigors and Thomas Horsfield.

Birds are mainly slate grey above, with a black eye mask, and a white throat and eyebrow.

The white-spotted fantail lays three eggs in a small cup nest in a tree.

Not normally renowned as a songster, the male uses a fixed and unmistakable pattern of musical notes in its call.