# White-Rumped Shama (*copsychus malabaricus*) The White-Rumped Shama (Copsychus malabaricus) is a legendary songbird celebrated worldwide for its incredibly rich, flute-like melodies and remarkable mimicry. Native to the dense, shaded understories of South and Southeast Asian forests, this sleek, long-tailed member of the Old World flycatcher family has also captivated aviculturalists for centuries. Despite its shy nature in the wild, its powerful voice makes it unmistakable. Males boast stunning contrasts of glossy blue-black, rich rufous orange, and a signature white patch on the lower back that flares dramatically during flight. Known for their highly territorial behavior, they are fierce defenders of their leafy domains. Their introduction to places like Hawaii has also allowed global birders to experience their captivating presence outside their native range, cementing their status as one of the avian world's most accomplished and beloved vocalists. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Found in the dense understory of broadleaf tropical forests, secondary growth woodlands, and bamboo thickets, typically close to the forest floor. ![White-Rumped Shama](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/2743566/medium.JPG) Photo: Nick Block, CC BY 4.0 · [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/2743566) ## Appearance Males are easily identified by their striking plumage, featuring a glossy jet-black head, back, and wings, contrasted sharply by a rich orange-chestnut belly and breast. Their most defining features are an exceptionally long, graduated black tail with white outer feathers and a bright white rump patch that is highly visible when they fly or display. Females are noticeably duller, showing grayish-brown upperparts and a shorter tail. Both sexes possess a slender, dark bill, large dark eyes, and pinkish legs, measuring about 21 to 28 centimeters in total length including the impressive tail. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Muscicapidae - **Genus:** Copsychus ## Interesting facts - Due to their incredible singing abilities, they are highly sought-after in Southeast Asia for competitive songbird contests, where owners vie for massive cash prizes. - The white rump patch that gives the bird its name acts as a visual 'flash' signal to warn family members of approaching predators in dark forest depths. - Their introduction to Oahu, Hawaii, in 1931 was so successful that they are now one of the most common forest songbirds across the main Hawaiian islands. ## Special abilities - **Vocal Virtuosity:** Possesses an incredibly complex song and can mimic other birds, environmental noises, and even human whistling with flawless accuracy. - **Agile Understory Navigation:** Uses its long, expressive tail as a rudder to make sharp, precise turns while darting through dense tropical foliage and tangled vines. - **Territorial Tail-Flaring:** Performs dynamic visual displays by raising and fanning its long tail to expose white feathers, serving as a warning to rival males. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 21+ cm - **Wingspan:** 30+ cm - **Weight:** 0.028+ kg - **Lifespan:** 5+ years - **Speed:** 35 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3+ - **Incubation:** 12+ days ## Diet & Feeding Primarily feeds on a wide variety of insects and other terrestrial invertebrates, supplemented occasionally by berries or small fruits. - **Primary Foods:** Caterpillars, Termites, Earthworms, Spiders, Fallen berries - **Foraging Method:** Foraging278384236746237846274293847923847923479238479238472394723497234237846237846274293847923847923479238479238472394723497234789324792384792384723947234972347893249782347928374928374982374982374982374928374923874293847293847293847239472349237492387429384729384729384723947234923749283749283749823749823749823749283749238742938472938472938472394723492374923874293847293847293847239472349 ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Crested Goshawk (*Accipiter trivirgatus*) — The Crested Goshawk is a forest-dwelling bird of prey that actively hunts shamas in the dense canopy. - **Competitor:** Oriental Magpie-Robin (*Copsychus saularis*) — Competes for nesting cavities, territory, and insect resources in overlapping woodland edges. ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify White-Rumped Shama? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is White-Rumped Shama? 21+ cm ### What is White-Rumped Shama's wingspan? 30+ cm ### How much does White-Rumped Shama weigh? 0.028+ kg ### How long does White-Rumped Shama live? 5+ years ### How fast can White-Rumped Shama move? 35 km/h ### What does White-Rumped Shama eat? Primarily feeds on a wide variety of insects and other terrestrial invertebrates, supplemented occasionally by berries or small fruits. ### Where is White-Rumped Shama usually found? Found in the dense understory of broadleaf tropical forests, secondary growth woodlands, and bamboo thickets, typically close to the forest floor. ## Where to spot - [Allerton Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/allerton-garden) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden - [Lyon Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lyon-arboretum) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden - [National Tropical Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/national-tropical-botanical-garden) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden - [Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hoomaluhia-botanical-garden) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden - [Limahuli Garden and Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/limahuli-garden-and-preserve) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see White-Rumped Shama](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/white-rumped-shama) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [White-Rumped Shama: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-rumped-shama)