Oriental Magpie-robin
Audio file
Chang Rai, Thailand
The magpie-robin is resident throughout southern Asia including India, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and South China.
Habitat
The oriental magpie-robin is a largely terrestial bird found in open woodland and cultivated areas often close to human habitation.
Feeding
Magpie-robins are mainly insectivores but will also take nectar, geckos and even fish.
Breeding
Magpie robins nest in tree hollows or crevices in walls and buildings and line them with grass. They will also use nest boxes. The female is mostly responsibe for nest building. Four or five pale blue green, brown speckled eggs are incubated by the female alone and she also responsible for most of the chick rearing. Male magpie-robins are aggressive nest defenders.
Wildfile Extras
- Oriental magpie-robins are fine songbirds and are kept as cage birds in India and other parts of SE Asia.
- Magpie robins are good imitators of other birds' songs which they incorporate into their repertoires.
- The oriental magpie robin is the national bird of Bangladesh.