 The Indian Subcontinent provides suitable habitats to various species of birds for residing and reproducing. Robins are no exception in this regard. Indian Robin, Indian Blue Robin and Oriental Magpie-Robin have been recorded in India. They belong to the kingdom, Animalia; phylum, Chordata; class, Aves; order, Passeriformes; and family Muscicapidae. These robins are described below.
Indian Robin Indian Robin is a resident breeder in the Indian Subcontinent. It belongs to the genus, Copsychus and its species name is C. Fulicatus. The male bird has mainly black body and chestnut undertail coverts. The white shoulder patch or stripe stands out on the otherwise black body. The patch assumes variable extent, depending on the posture of the bird. Indian Robin existing in northern regions is brownish above, whereas the one traced in southern regions is glossy black above. The female counterpart is a brownish and grayish bird. More specifically, it has brownish upper body and grayish lower body. Unlike the male bird, the female has a paler shade of chestnut vent and is devoid of white- colored shoulder stripe. Indian Blue Robin  Indian Blue Robin is a migratory bird, which breeds in India. It belongs to the genus, Larvivora and its species name is L. Brunnea. It has been traced in the hill forests of the Western Ghats. Male and female Blue Robins differ in terms of physical features. An adult male is identified as a bird with blue upper body and rufous lower body. A region close to the eye of the bird stands out distinctively. This region comprises of the supercilium, which is bright white in color and a contrasting black mask below, which extends down the neck. It has white colored lower belly and undertail. The upper body of the female bird is olive brown in color, whereas it’s lower body is yellowish-beige, which involves the breast and flanks. Its rump is tinged with red. If the Blue Robin is dark brown with buff spots, it means it is young.
Oriental Magpie-Robin Oriental Magpie-Robin is a resident breeder in India. It belongs to the genus, Copsychus and its species name is C. Saularis. This robin has black upperparts and white underparts. It also has black head and throat. A white shoulder patch stands out on the otherwise black color of the body. Its tail is long, the sides of which are white in appearance. Unlike the male Robin, the female bird has grayish black upper body and grayish white lower body. Scaly brown upperparts and head are evident on the body of the young robin. |
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