Lalage polioptera
The Indochinese Cuckooshrike (*Lalage polioptera*) is an elegant songbird belonging to the Campephagidae family, known for its subtle beauty and graceful movements within the forest canopy. Measuring 17-20 cm in length, males are predominantly ash-grey on their upperparts, head, and breast, transitioning to a paler grey on the belly and a crisp white vent. Their wings are darker, with blackish primary coverts that provide a subtle contrast. Females exhibit marked sexual dimorphism, appearing ...
This species primarily inhabits open evergreen and deciduous forests, secondary growth, woodlands, and forest edges, frequently favoring areas with tall trees. It is typically found in lowlands and foothills, generally below 1000 meters in elevation, though occasionally observed up to 1500 meters.
The diet of the Indochinese Cuckooshrike consists predominantly of insects, such as caterpillars, beetles, and grasshoppers, which it gleans from foliage and bark or catches in mid-air. It occasionally supplements its insectivorous diet with small fruits.
Indochinese Cuckooshrikes are generally observed singly or in pairs, sometimes joining mixed-species foraging flocks, actively moving through the mid-story and canopy of trees. They are diurnal foragers, employing a gleaning strategy, methodically inspecting leaves, twigs, and bark for insects. T...
The Indochinese Cuckooshrike boasts a wide distribution across mainland Southeast Asia, encompassing southern China (Yunnan), Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, extending west into parts of Bangladesh and northeastern India. It is largely a resident species throughout this extensive ...
Least Concern
- The "cuckooshrike" name is a bit of a misnomer; while its plumage may sometimes resemble cuckoos and its bill a shrike's, it is not closely related to either. - Despite its relatively plain grey plumage, its flute-like song is remarkably sweet and melodious, often betraying its presence before ...