Oriental maqpie & Indian robin

Oriental Magpie-Robin 

                                        oriental magpie-robin 

The oriental magpie-robin (Copsychus saularis) is a small passerine bird considered an Old World flycatcher. They are distinctive black and white birds with a long tail that is held upright as they forage on the ground or perch conspicuously. 

This species is 19 centimetres long, including the long tail that is usually held cocked upright. The male has black upperparts, head and throat apart from a white shoulder patch. The underparts and the sides of the long tail are white. Femalesare greyish black above and greyish white

The oriental magpie-robin is found in open woodland and cultivated areas often close to human habitations.Magpie robins breed mainly from March to July in India.They nest in tree hollows or niches in walls or building. The female is involved in most of the nest building that happens about a week before the eggs are laid. 

 The Indian robin,  Indian robin male

 The diet of magpie robins includes mainly insects and other invertebrates. Although mainly insectivorous, they are known to occasionally take flower nectar,

  The Indian robin

 The Indian robin (Saxicoloides fulicatus^]) is commonly found in open scrub areas and often seen running along the ground or perching on low thorny shrubs and rocks.The males are have a brown back colour with a white shoulder patch or stripe whose visible extent can vary with posture.

The females are brownish above, have no white shoulder stripe and are greyish below with the vent.

The breeding season is December to September but varies according to region and usually begins with the first rains

                                                    Indian robin male

All the photographs are taken in Lodha heaven, river side, Thane Dist Maharastra.