Indian Robin

Copsychus fulicatus

An agile songbird darting through India's urban gardens and scrublands, flicking its upright tail and showing off its rich black plumage with striking orange-red patches.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Indian Robin is a small, striking bird with distinct sexual dimorphism. Males are predominantly glossy black with a rich chestnut patch on the belly and under the tail (vent). They have a prominent white shoulder patch that contrasts sharply with their dark plumage.

Females are more subdued in colouration, with an overall brownish-grey plumage and darker ear-coverts. Both sexes have long black legs, a slender black bill, and a characteristic habit of holding their long tails upright.

Size

Length

15cm to 17cm

Wingspan

20cm to 22cm

Weight

17g to 20g

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

Black

Secondary Colour

White Brown Orange

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Black

Primary Colour (Female)

Brown Grey

Secondary Colour (Female)

White Orange

Beak Colour (Female)

Black

Leg Colour (Female)

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Indian Robin can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Indian Robin can be found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Indian Robin is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Indian Robin is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Indian Robin can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Indian Robin is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Indian Robin can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Indian Robin is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Indian Robin is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Indian Robin is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Indian Robin is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Indian Robin is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

The Indian Robin is native to the Indian subcontinent, found across India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and parts of Bangladesh. It inhabits a range of open habitats, including scrublands, dry deciduous forests, and cultivated areas.

These birds are well-adapted to human-modified environments and are common in gardens, parks, and urban areas. They are non-migratory and maintain their territories year-round in suitable habitats.

Elevation Range

Up to 1,600 meters

Climate zones

Tropical, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Indian Robin. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons