The Malabar whistling thrush is a whistling thrush in the family Muscicapidae. The bird has been called whistling schoolboy for the whistling calls that they make at dawn that have a very human quality. The species is a resident in the Western Ghats and associated hills of peninsular India including central India and parts of the Eastern Ghats.
Region
Western Ghats and adjoining hills of peninsular India
Typical Environment
Most common along evergreen and moist deciduous forest streams, rocky ravines, and shaded gullies. It also occurs in shola forest edges and in coffee or cardamom plantations where clean, boulder-strewn streams persist. Birds are typically tied to water, moving along riparian corridors and foraging on banks and wet rocks. It can occur near settlements in hill stations when suitable stream habitat remains.
Altitude Range
0–2000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the 'whistling schoolboy', its rich, human-like whistles are most often heard at dawn in the Western Ghats. It prefers rocky, shaded stream valleys and often nests on ledges or in crevices near waterfalls. Pairs are strongly territorial and may sing from rooftops or exposed perches in hill towns. Its presence is a good indicator of intact riparian forest.
Foraging on the ground
At nest
Temperament
shy and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low and direct along streams
Social Behavior
Usually found singly or in pairs that defend linear territories along streams. Nests are cup-shaped structures placed on rock ledges, bridge niches, or bank crevices near flowing water. Breeding typically coincides with the pre-monsoon to monsoon period, and both parents attend the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Rich, fluty whistles delivered in clear phrases that can resemble human whistling. Males sing most at dawn and after rain, sometimes incorporating mimicry of other birds and environmental sounds.
Plumage
Mostly glossy black with vivid cobalt-blue patches on the shoulders, wing coverts, and often the belly and rump; females can appear slightly duller. Feathers have a satiny sheen, with blue spangling most visible in good light.
Diet
Takes aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates such as beetles, crickets, caterpillars, snails, and crabs. Also consumes small vertebrates including tadpoles and small frogs, and occasionally berries or other soft fruits. Forages by hopping along wet rocks and leaf litter, flipping leaves and pebbles to expose prey.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along shaded forest streams, under boulders, and in rocky ravines with clean, flowing water. Will also forage along irrigation channels and plantation streams where canopy cover persists.
