Copsychus mindanensis
The Philippine Magpie-Robin (Copsychus mindanensis) is a striking passerine bird endemic to the Philippines, often revered for its melodious and complex song. Measuring approximately 18-20 cm in length, the male is distinguished by its glossy black upperparts contrasting sharply with a bright white belly and a prominent white patch on each wing. Females, while similar in pattern, exhibit duller, more grayish-black upperparts, lacking the male's intense gloss, and are slightly smaller. This sp...
This adaptable species inhabits a range of environments from open woodlands, forest edges, and secondary growth to cultivated areas, gardens, and urban parks. It is typically found from lowlands up to elevations of around 1,500 meters.
Primarily insectivorous, its diet consists mainly of various insects, larvae, and other small invertebrates, often captured by ground gleaning or short sallies from a perch.
Highly diurnal, the Philippine Magpie-Robin is active from dawn to dusk, often perching conspicuously to sing or hunt. It primarily forages on the ground, hopping and running to snatch insects, but will also glean from foliage. Males are fiercely territorial, defending their breeding grounds with...
The Philippine Magpie-Robin is a resident endemic species distributed across most of the Philippine archipelago. Its range spans major islands including Luzon, Mindanao, Palawan, Mindoro, Negros, Panay, Cebu, and many smaller islands within the Visayas and Sulu groups. It is found in a wide varie...
Least Concern
- The Philippine Magpie-Robin is endemic to the Philippines, found nowhere else in the world. - Males are renowned for their complex and beautiful songs, which often include mimicry of other bird species, making them popular cage birds historically. - Despite its relatively small size, this bird ...