Bird Guide

Indian Robin vs White-rumped Shama

Indian Robin (Copsychus fulicatus)

Indian Robin

Copsychus fulicatus

17 gShrubland

The Indian robin is sexually dimorphic in plumage, with the male being mainly black with a white shoulder patch or stripe whose visible extent can vary with posture. The northern populations have the upper plumage brownish, while the southern populations are black above. The males have chestnut undertail coverts and these are visible as the bird usually holds the 6–8 cm long tail raised upright. The females are brownish above, have no white shoulder stripe and are greyish below, with the vent a paler shade of chestnut than the males.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Indian Robin
Recorded by Vihansith Kulatunga · Call · Andamkulam (near Trincomalee), Trincomalee, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Rison Thumboor from Thrissur, India · CC BY 2.0
White-rumped Shama (Copsychus malabaricus)

White-rumped Shama

Copsychus malabaricus

Small29 gForest

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 colouration, similar to that of the females, with a blotchy or spotted chest. Voice: The voice of this species is rich and melodious which makes 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 also make a 'Tck' call in alarm or when foraging. The earliest known recording of bird song was made of an individual of this species in 1889 by Ludwig Koch.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: MIMI · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Indian Robin and White-rumped Shama.