Pied Bushchat

Scientific Name: Saxicola caprata
Common Name: Pied Bushchat

Identifying Features: male is black with white wing patch and lower belly, female is brown and slightly streaked, black bill, black legs

Fun Facts:

  • Males sing from prominent perches. A study suggests that males use dawn chorus to mediate social relationships with neighbouring males to proclaim an established territory.
  • Among the Toda people in the Nilgiris, it is a bird of omen and the origin of its white wing patches is described in a story.
  • The Kalam people of Papua New Guinea consider the birds as messengers.

 

This image was clicked by Chandrasekaran Arumugam – via Flickr.

Where have you seen this bird? Let us know in the comments below. You can also share a photo of this bird clicked by you by sending it to birdwatcher@delhigreens.org

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