- 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.
Variation
Males in Borneo has all black belly.
Distribution
Southern Asia from Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Borneo, Indonesia and south China. Possible spread north into Afghanistan with probably the first sighting for the country in Camp Bastion, Helmand on 2nd April 2012.
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.
References
- Clements, JF. 2011. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to August 2011. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
- Birdforum thread discussing the possible split of Philippine Magpie-Robin
