The white-rumped shama (Copsychus malabaricus) is a small passerine bird of the family Muscicapidae. Native to densely vegetated habitats in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, its popularity as a cage-bird and songster has led to it being introduced elsewhere.
It was formerly classified as a member of the thrush family, Turdidae, causing it to be commonly known as the white-rumped shama thrush or simply shama thrush.
The nominate race is found in the Western Ghats and parts of southern India while leggei is found in Sri Lanka. Race indicus is found in the northern parts of India. Race albiventris is found in the Andaman Islands and now usually considered a distinct species, the Andaman shama. Race interpositus from southwester Asia-China to Myanmar, Thailand and the Mergui Archipelago. Southern China has race minor while mallopercnus is found in the Malay peninsula. Race tricolor is found in the Sumatra, Java, Banka, Belitung and Karimata islands. Race mirabilis from the Sunda Strait, melanurus from northwestern Sumatra, opisthopelus, javanus, omissus, ochroptilus, abbotti, eumesus, suavis (Borneo), nigricauda, stricklandii and barbouri are the other island forms. The last two are sometimes regarded as a separate species, the white-crowned shama.
They typically weigh between 28 and 34 g (1.0 and 1.2 oz) and are around
23–28 cm (9–11 in) in length. Males are glossy black with a chestnut
belly and white feathers on the rump and outer tail. Females are more
greyish-brown, and are typically shorter than males. Both sexes have a
black bill and pink feet. Juveniles have a greyish-brown coloration,
similar to that of the females, with a blotchy or spotted chest.
The white-rumped shama is shy and somewhat crepuscular. but very territorial. The territories include a male and female during
the breeding season with the males defending the territory averaging
0.09 ha in size, but each sex may have different territories when they are not breeding. In South Asia, they breed from January to September but mainly in April to June laying a clutch of four or five eggs.
in a nest placed in the hollow of tree. During courtship,
males pursue the female, alight above the female, give a shrill call,
and then flick and fan out their tail feathers. This is followed by a
rising and falling flight pattern by both sexes. If the male is
unsuccessful, the female will threaten the male, gesturing with the
mouth open. The nest is built by the female alone while the male stands guard. The nests are mainly made of roots, leaves, ferns, and stems, and
incubation lasts between 12 and 15 days and the nestling period averaged
12.4 days. Both adults feed the young although only the female
incubates and broods. The eggs are white to light aqua, with variable shades of brown
blotching, with dimensions of about 18 and 23 mm (0.7 and 0.9 in).
They feed on insects in the wild but in captivity they may be fed on a diet of boiled, dried legumes with egg yolk and raw meat.
The voice
of this species is rich and melodious which made them popular as cage
birds in South Asia with the tradition continuing in parts of Southeast
Asia. It is loud and clear, with a variety of phrases, and often mimics
other birds.
They are native to South and Southeast Asia, but have been introduced to Kaua'i, Hawai'i, in early 1931 from Malaysia (by Alexander Isenberger), and to O'ahu in 1940 (by the Hui Manu Society).
Their popularity as a cage bird has led to many escaped birds
establishing themselves. They have been introduced to Taiwan where they
are considered an invasive species, eating native insect species and
showing aggression towards native bird species.
Captured @ Yala National Park...
