About the White-crowned Forktail
The white-crowned forktail is a species of forktail in the family Muscicapidae. Formally described in 1818, it has five subspecies, each occupying a different geographic range. The largest of the forktails, Enicurus leschenaulti, is between 25 and 28 centimetres long. It has a black throat and breast, black mantle, and largely black wings. The rump and lower back are white, and the bird has a prominent white crown, from which it gets its name. As with other forktails, the tail is long, deeply forked, and banded in black and white. A variety of whistling and clicking calls have been described. Slight morphological differences have been observed between subspecies.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The white-crowned forktail is the largest of the forktails. Between 25 and 28 centimetres (9.8 and 11.0 in) long, the white-crowned forktail typically weighs between 27 and 38 grams (0.95 and 1.34 oz), though specimens weighing up to 53 grams (1.9 oz) have been reported. It has black feathering on its throat extending down to its breast, as well as a black face and scapulars. The crown and forehead have a prominent white patch, sometimes visible as a slight crest, from which the bird gets its name. The belly of the bird is white, and is sharply delineated from the throat and face.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where the White-crowned Forktail lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Bhutan.
When to see the White-crowned Forktail
Peak activity in January · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Little ForktailEnicurus scouleriThe sexes are alike, with black and white plumage.
Slaty-backed ForktailEnicurus schistaceusThe 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).
Black-backed ForktailEnicurus immaculatusA medium-sized forktail, the black-backed forktail is between 20.5 and 23 centimetres (8+1⁄8 and 9 in).
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