White-rumped Shama

White-rumped Shama

Scientific Name: Copsychus malabaricus

Malay Name: Murai-Hutan Biasa

Chinese Name: 白腰鹊鸲

Range: Found from Indian subcontinent, southern China to Southeast Asia

Taxonomy: Polytypic. Subspecies are: malabaricus, macrourus, tricolor, suavis, hypolizus, opisthochrus, melanurus, mirabilis, ngae.

Local Subspecies: tricolor

Size: 21.5-28 cm

Identification: Male has glossy blue-black head, upperparts and upper breast, orange-rufous rest of underparts, conspicuous white rump and long blackish tail. Female resembles male but blue-black plumage replaced by dark grey and has shorter tail. Juvenile resembles female but has buff speckles on upperparts and dark scales at throat and upper breast.

Similar looking species: Oriental Magpie-Robin

Habitat: Forest, forest edge and wooded areas.

Behaviour/Ecology: Forages mainly on the ground amongst leaf litter.

Local Status: Uncommon resident and rare introduced resident

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2021)

Location: Central Catchment Forest, Venus Drive, Lower Pierce Boardwalk, Hindhede Nature Park, Bidadari, Pulau Ubin and Pulau Tekong.

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References:

BirdLife International. (2021). Kittacincla malabarica. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T103894856A183077961.en. Accessed on 19 December 2021

Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.

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