Copsychus niger
The White-vented Shama (Copsychus niger) is a striking, medium-sized songbird endemic to the Philippines, known for its contrasting black plumage and brilliant white vent. Males are entirely glossy black with a contrasting white undertail, measuring approximately 20-23 cm in length, including their long, graduated tail, and weighing 30-40 grams. Females are slightly duller, appearing more sooty-black, representing the species' moderate sexual dimorphism. This distinctive field mark of a pure ...
Primarily inhabits dense primary and mature secondary broadleaf evergreen forests, preferring humid undergrowth to mid-story vegetation. Found from lowlands up to approximately 1,200 meters in elevation.
Mainly insectivorous, consuming a wide array of invertebrates such as beetles, ants, crickets, spiders, and caterpillars, gleaned from the forest floor or snatched in flight. Occasionally supplements its diet with small fruits or berries.
This diurnal species is active primarily at dawn and dusk, foraging on the forest floor and in lower to mid-canopy before roosting in dense foliage. It employs a terrestrial foraging strategy, hopping on the ground to flick leaf litter and uncover invertebrates, while also sally-gleaning flying i...
The White-vented Shama is strictly endemic to the Philippines, with a wide but fragmented distribution across many of its major islands. It is a resident species, undertaking no seasonal migrations, found year-round on Luzon, Catanduanes, Marinduque, Polillo, Alabat, Samar, Leyte, Bohol, Mindanao...
Least Concern
- The White-vented Shama is strictly endemic to the Philippines, found nowhere else in the world. - Its dazzling pure white vent, contrasting sharply with its otherwise glossy black plumage, serves as its most distinguishing field mark. - Males are celebrated for their complex and melodious songs...