Physical Characteristics
Magpie-robins are about 19 centimetres (7.5 in) long. They have a long tail that is cocked upwards while they forage on the ground or perch. The adult male has a black head, throat, back, and tail, with white shoulder bars and underparts. Females have greyish-black upperparts and greyish-white underparts.
Behavior and Diet
These birds are well known for their songs and were once popular as cage birds. They are mostly solitary or found in pairs. Their diet primarily consists of insects, small invertebrates, and occasionally flower nectar or small seeds gathered from gardens and open woodlands.
Habitat and Breeding
They are common birds in urban gardens as well as open forests across tropical South and Southeast Asia. They nest in tree hollows or crevices in walls, laying typically 4 to 5 eggs which are incubated by the female during the breeding season.