About the Grey Treepie
The grey treepie, also known as the Himalayan treepie, is an Asian treepie, a medium-sized and long-tailed member of the crow family. The species was first described by Robert Swinhoe in 1863. They are widely distributed along the foothills of the Himalayas in the Indian subcontinent and extending into Indochina, Nepal, southern mainland China and Taiwan. The populations vary in plumage and several are named as subspecies.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The grey treepie is 36–40 cm (14–16 in) long and weighs 89–121 g (3.1–4.3 oz). It is the same size as other Dendrocitta species and is separated from them by the overall grey colour of the body. The races in the western part of the distribution have a greyish rump and some grey in tail while the eastern forms have a white rump and a black tail. The face and throat are dark and black with a diffuse mask. The body is grey on the underside becoming whiter towards the vent. The back and scapulars are brownish. The crown and nape are greyish and the black wing has a prominent white carpal patch.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in October · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Rufous TreepieDendrocitta vagabundaThe sexes are alike and the main colour of the body is cinnamon with a black head and the long graduated tail is bluish grey and is tipped in black.
White-bellied TreepieDendrocitta leucogastraThe white of the head and body makes it easy to distinguish from the sympatric rufous treepie.
Bornean TreepieDendrocitta cinerascensIt is a fairly large bird, 40 centimetres in length, including a long graduated tail, broad rounded wings and short weak legs.
Side by side: Grey Treepie vs Rufous Treepie
Learn the Grey Treepie for real
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