Species · GBIF taxon 7341809
Indian Robin
Copsychus fulicatusAlso known as Black-backed Robin, Indian Black Robin
Indian robins are energetic, ground-dwelling songbirds easily recognized by their habit of cocking their long tails upright to reveal rich chestnut undertail coverts. They frequent open scrublands, dry deciduous forests, and suburban gardens, where they run along the ground in quick spurts to hunt for insects. During the breeding season, males perform spirited courtship displays, bowing and puffing out their feathers while singing a series of sweet, clear whistles.
InsectivorousGround-dwellingMelodic
Licensed referenceShino jacob koottanad / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
- diet
- Insects, spiders, and occasionally small lizards or seeds
- family
- Muscicapidae
- threats
- Habitat loss due to intensive agriculture, urbanization, and pesticide use reducing insect prey
- life Span
- 3 to 5 years
LC
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- Watch the tail: Look for the characteristic upward tail-flick that exposes the bright chestnut undertail coverts.
- Listen for calls: Scan low rocks and thorny bushes when you hear their sharp, metallic chirps or sweet whistling songs.
- Provide water: They frequently visit shallow garden birdbaths for drinking and bathing, especially during dry seasons.