Oriental Magpie Robin (Copsychus saularis)

Identification

Also known as Straits Robin and Magpie. 19cm long, including the long cocked tail. Black upperparts, head and throat, white shoulder patch. The underparts and the sides of the long tail are white. Females are grey above and greyish white. Young birds have scaly brown upperparts and head.

Distribution

Southern Asia from Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Borneo, Indonesia and south China.

Taxonomy

16 subspecies are recognized:
C. s. saularis
C. s. ceylonensis
C. s. erimelas
C. s. andamanensis
C. s. prosthopellus
C. s. musicus
C. s. nesiotes
C. s. zacnecus
C. s. nesiarchus
C. s. masculus
C. s. pagiensis
C. s. javensis
C. s. amoenus
C. s. problematicus
C. s. adamsi
C. s. pluto
Philippine Magpie-Robin was formerly included in this species.


Habitat

Open woodland, cultivated areas and around human habitation.

Behaviour

It nests in a hole, often in a wall, laying 3-6 eggs which are incubated by both sexes.It is terrestrial, hopping along the ground with cocked tail. The male sings loud melodic notes from the top of a perch during the breeding season.

Pictures