The White-rumped Shama (Copsychus malabaricus) is a small pass erine
bird of the family Muscicapidae. It was formerly classified as a member
of the Thrush family, Turdidae, causing it to be commonly known as the
White-rumped Shama Thrush or simply Shama Thrush.
They are native to South and Southeast Asia, but have been introduced
to Kaua'i, Hawai'i, in early 1931 from Malaysia (by Alexander Isenberger),
and to O'ahu in 1940 (by the Hui Manu Society).Their popularity as a
cage bird has led to many escaped birds establishing themselves.In Asia,
their habitat is dense undergrowth especially in bamboo forests. In
Hawaii, they are common in valley forests or on the ridges of the
southern Ko'olaus, and tend to nest in undergrowth or low trees of
lowland broadleaf forests.
The nominate race is found in the Western Ghats and parts of southern
India while leggei is found in Sri Lanka. Race indicus is found in the
northern parts of India. Race albiventris is found in the Andaman
Islands, interpositus from southwester China to Myanmar, Thailand and
the Mergui Archipelago. Southern China has race minor while mallopercnus
is found in the Malay peninsula. Race tricolor is found in the Sumatra,
Java, Banka, Belitung and Karimata islands. Race mirabilis from the
Sunda Strait, melanurus from northwestern Sumatra, opisthopelus, javanus,
omissus, ochroptilus, abbotti, eumesus, suavis (Borneo), nigricauda,
stricklandii and barbouri are the other island forms.
Physical Characteristics
They typically weigh between 1 and 1.2 ounces and are around 9 to 11
inches in length. Males are glossy black with a chestnut belly and white
feathers on the rump and outer tail. Females are more grayish-brown, and
are typically shorter than males. Both sexes have a black bill and pink
feet. Juveniles have a more grayish or brownish coloration, similar to
that of the females, with a blotchy or spotted chest.
Behaviour
The white-rumped shama is shy and somewhat crepuscular but very
territorial. The territories include a male and female during the
breeding season with the males defending the territory averaging 0.09 ha
in size, but each sex may have different territories when they are not
breeding.
The voice of this species is rich and melodious which made 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. One of the first recordings of a bird song that
was ever made was of this species. This recording was made in 1889 from
a captive individual using an Edison wax cylinder by Ludwig Koch in
Germany.
They feed on insects in the wild but in captivity feed on boiled and
dried legumes with egg yolk and raw meat.
Breeding
In South Asia, they breed from January to September but mainly in
April to June laying a clutch of four or five eggs in a nest placed in
the hollow of tree. During courtship, males pursue the female, alight
above the female, give a shrill call, and then flick and fan out their
tail feathers. It is followed by a rising and falling flight pattern by
both sexes. It the male is unsuccessful, the female will threaten the
male, gesturing with the mouth open.
The nest is built by the female alone while the male stands guard.
The nests are mainly made of roots, leaves, ferns, and stems, and
incubation lasts between 12 and 15 days and the nestling period averaged
12.4 days. Both adults feed the young although only the female incubates
and broods. The eggs are white to light aqua, with variable shades of
brown blotching, and are approximately 0.7 by 0.9 inches. |
