Dendrocitta formosae
The Grey Treepie, *Dendrocitta formosae*, is an engaging and intelligent member of the Corvidae family, showcasing the characteristic cleverness and adaptability of its relatives. This striking corvid measures between 36-40 cm in length, with its exceptionally long, graduated tail contributing significantly to this measurement (often 20-25 cm). Adults typically weigh around 80-140 grams. Its plumage features a distinctive grey head and nape, often accentuated by a darker, almost blackish faci...
Found in a variety of forest types, from subtropical and tropical moist lowland forests to montane forests, scrub, and secondary growth. They inhabit elevations ranging from plains up to 2,400 meters, occasionally higher.
An opportunistic omnivore, their diet primarily consists of insects, fruits, berries, and seeds, supplemented by nectar, small reptiles, eggs, and nestlings of other birds. They forage mainly in trees and shrubs, gleaning and probing.
Grey Treepies are diurnal birds, active from dawn to dusk, often seen in small family groups or larger, more fluid flocks outside the breeding season, occasionally forming mixed-species foraging parties. They forage actively in the canopy and mid-story, gleaning insects from foliage, probing bark...
The Grey Treepie is a widespread resident species across a broad swathe of Asia, exhibiting limited migratory movements. Its core distribution spans the Himalayan foothills, from northern India (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh) east through Nepal and Bhutan, extending into northeastern India. Furth...
Least Concern
- Grey Treepies are renowned mimics, capable of imitating the calls of numerous other bird species, often incorporating them into their complex vocalizations. - Their extremely long, graduated tail is a distinctive feature, often making up more than half of their total body length. - Despite thei...