Dendrocitta leucogastra
The White-bellied Treepie (Dendrocitta leucogastra) is an extraordinarily striking corvid, a gem endemic to the Western Ghats of India, instantly recognizable by its dramatic tripartite plumage. This medium-sized bird typically measures 30-33 cm in length, with its exceptionally long, graduated tail contributing significantly to its overall size. It boasts a glossy black head, throat, and upper breast that sharply contrast with a pristine white belly and vent, while its back is a rich chestnu...
Primarily inhabiting dense evergreen and moist deciduous forests, the White-bellied Treepie favors hilly terrain, often found in the sholas (montane evergreen forests) and coffee plantations across its range, typically at elevations from sea level up to 1500 meters.
An omnivorous species, the White-bellied Treepie feeds primarily on large insects, fruits, berries, and seeds, supplementing its diet with nectar, small reptiles, eggs, and nestlings, mostly acquired through agile arboreal foraging.
White-bellied Treepies are highly arboreal and active birds, spending most of their day foraging among the tree canopy, though they occasionally descend to the undergrowth. They are often observed singly, in pairs, or small family groups, sometimes joining mixed-species foraging flocks, particula...
The White-bellied Treepie is strictly endemic to the Western Ghats mountain range in southwestern India. Its distribution extends from the southern reaches of Maharashtra, through Goa, Karnataka, and Kerala, down to the southern tip of Tamil Nadu. This species is a resident throughout its range, ...
Least Concern
- The White-bellied Treepie is one of only two treepie species endemic to the Western Ghats of India, showcasing its unique evolutionary path within this biodiverse region. - Despite its beauty, it is a member of the highly intelligent Corvidae family, known globally for their problem-solving ski...