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RiverineCup nestSmall · 31 g
ID tip
The slaty-backed forktail is a slim, medium-sized forktail between 22 and 25 centimetres (8+5⁄8 and 9+7⁄8 in) long, and weighs between 26 and 38 grams (0.92 and 1.34 oz). It is coloured slate-grey, black, and white. The bill is black, while the feet of the bird are a pale pinkish or greyish colour. The iris has been described as dark brown, though it has been recorded as black in certain specimens. It has a black throat and a narrow white stripe across its face till just behind the eyes, sometimes describe as a white mask. Voice: One of the slaty-backed forktail's calls has been described as a "high, thin, sharp, metallic screech, ''teenk'", similar to that made by a small kingfisher; in particular, it has been mistaken for the call of the Blyth's kingfisher Alcedo hercules. Another call is described as a mellow "cheet". It also produces a repeated, harsh screeching call when alarmed.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Slaty-backed Forktail
One bar for each month. Filled bars are the 8 months with records; pale bars are months with none. The wide bar is December, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Slaty-backed Forktail
The map shades 11 countries with regular records. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
About the Slaty-backed Forktail
The slaty-backed forktail is a species of forktail in the family Muscicapidae. A slim, medium-sized forktail, it is distinguished from similar species by its slate grey forehead, crown, and mantle. It has a long and deeply forked tail banded in black and white, a white rump, and a white bar across its primary feathers; the rest of the plumage is predominantly white. The sexes look alike. The bird frequents the edges of fast-flowing streams and rivers, where it hunts small invertebrates by hopping among rocks or flying out over the water. It breeds between February and July, laying 3–4 pinkish, bluish, or white eggs; both sexes incubate the eggs.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Little ForktailEnicurus scouleriThe sexes are alike, with black and white plumage.
White-crowned ForktailEnicurus leschenaultiThe white-crowned forktail is the largest of the forktails.
Spotted ForktailEnicurus maculatusThe spotted forktail is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae.
Side by side: Little Forktail vs Slaty-backed Forktail · Slaty-backed Forktail vs White-crowned Forktail
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