Oriental Magpie-Robin

Copsychus saularis

Family: Chats, Old World Flycatchers, and Allies · Status: Common resident and common introduced resident · Size: 19–21 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Occurs across the Indian subcontinent, southern China, and Southeast Asia.

Identification

Male has glossy blackish head, upperparts and upper breast, white lower breast to vent, and broad white wing-stripe. Female resembles male but black plumage replaced by grey, except on the wings. Juvenile has whitish wing-bands, rufous wing edgings, and mottled buff-and-dark breast. Separated from White-rumped Shama by white (not orange-rufous) underparts and absence of a white rump.

Habitat

Forest edge, secondary growth, gardens, parks, wooded areas, and mangroves.

Behaviour

Forages largely on the ground, hopping in an upright stance with tail pumped over the back.