The bar-winged flycatcher-shrike is a small passerine bird usually placed in the Vangidae. It is found in the forests of tropical southern Asia from the Himalayas and hills of southern India to Indonesia. Mainly insectivorous it is found hunting in the mid-canopy of forests, often joining mixed-species foraging flocks. They perch upright and have a distinctive pattern of black and white, males being more shiny black than the females. In some populations the colour of the back is brownish while others have a dark wash on the underside.
Region
South and Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Occurs from the Himalayan foothills and northeastern India through Bangladesh and Myanmar to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, and south through peninsular Malaysia to Sumatra, Java, and Borneo. It inhabits tropical evergreen and moist deciduous forests, forest edges, and well-wooded secondary growth. The species typically uses the mid to upper canopy and is common along ridgelines and forested hills. It tolerates selectively logged forests and some plantations if canopy cover remains. Often detected by movement as it forages with mixed flocks along branches and outer foliage.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2400 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Despite its name, this species is now usually placed in the vanga family (Vangidae), not among true shrikes or flycatchers. It frequently joins mixed-species foraging flocks and hunts in the mid-canopy with quick sallies. Plumage varies geographically, with some populations showing browner backs or a dusky wash below. Its bold white wing panel is conspicuous when it flicks or opens its wings.
Head showing hook-tipped beak and rictal bristles
Subspecies
Eggs of H. p. capitalis (left) and H. p. picatus (right)
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick sallies between perches
Social Behavior
Often forages in pairs or small groups and regularly integrates into mixed-species canopy flocks. Pairs are territorial during breeding and build a small cup nest bound with spider silk on a horizontal branch. Both sexes participate in nesting duties, with clutches typically of two to three eggs.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Calls are thin, high-pitched whistles and sharp tsip notes given in short series. The song is a soft, melodious sequence of clear whistles interspersed with rapid chittering, carrying well through the mid-canopy.
