Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis

The Oriental Magpie-Robin is a Old World Flycatcher that is found the Indian Subcontinent and other parts of Southeast Asia. The male is mostly black with a white belly and white on the shoulder and tail. Females are more gray than black. Both have dark eyes, legs, and feet.

They are considered of 'Least Concern' for extinction but they status in Singapore has been vulnerable.

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Adult

02/22/2012 - Phoenix Zoo, AZ 02/22/2012 - Phoenix Zoo, AZ	02/22/2012 - Phoenix Zoo, AZ 02/22/2012 - Phoenix Zoo, AZ	02/22/2012 - Phoenix Zoo, AZ 02/22/2012 - Phoenix Zoo, AZ
07/08/2012 - San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA 07/08/2012 - San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA

Diet: Oriental Magpie-Robins mostly consume insects, geckos, leeches, centipedes, and fish.

Courtship: The male attracts the female by puffing up his feathers, raising his bill, fanning the tail and strutting.

Nesting: The nest is built mostly by the female and she will build it in forks of branches, hollow trees, holes in buildings, etc. The nest itself is in the shape of a cup and made from grass, dried leaves, etc. and lined with grass or other fibrous material. 4-5 pale blue eggs with brownish speckles are laid. The female does all the incubation and most of the feeding of the chicks.

Habitat and Range: Oriental Magpie-Robins can be found in urban setting such as parks, plantations and gardens. They also live in Mangrove forests. They prefer open areas and are not forest birds.

Vocalization: The males song varies and they will imitate parts of other birds songs.

Plumage/Molt: No alternative (breeding plumage).

Migration: Not migratory.

Tongue/feet: Both are gray.

Bibliography:

• http://en.wikipedia.org The Free Encyclopedia, Accessed July, 2012
• http://birdlife.org BirdLife International, Accessed July, 2012
• www.natria.per.sg/buloh/ Mangrove and wetland wildlife at Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve, Accessed July, 2012

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