The Malabar woodshrike is a species of bird usually placed in the family Vangidae. It is found in western India. It is sometimes considered a subspecies of the large woodshrike.
Region
Western Ghats, southwest India
Typical Environment
Occurs along the Western Ghats from southern Maharashtra through Goa and Karnataka to Kerala and the Nilgiri–Palani ranges of Tamil Nadu. Prefers moist evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, but also uses well-wooded edges, secondary growth, and shade plantations such as coffee. Most activity is in the mid to upper canopy where it gleans from leaves and twigs. It tolerates lightly disturbed habitats provided mature trees remain.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Malabar woodshrike is confined to India’s Western Ghats and is often seen in pairs or small parties moving through the mid-canopy. It has at times been treated as a subspecies of the Large Woodshrike but is generally recognized as distinct. Taxonomically, woodshrikes have been placed either within Vangidae or in their own family Tephrodornithidae. It frequently joins mixed-species foraging flocks, making it a good indicator of healthy forest mosaics.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between perches
Social Behavior
Usually found in pairs or small family groups and frequently joins mixed-species flocks. Pairs maintain small territories and communicate with soft contact calls. Nest is a small, neat cup placed on a horizontal fork high in a tree, with both parents participating in care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of soft, whistled phrases and chattering notes, often repeated from a canopy perch. Calls include sharp chips and scolding rattles when disturbed.
Plumage
Ashy-grey to brownish-grey upperparts with paler, slightly buff-washed underparts and fine, faint streaking on the breast. Shows a contrasting white supercilium and a dusky mask through the eye. Wings display a pale panel or narrow wingbar; outer tail feathers often edged whitish.
Diet
Primarily hunts insects such as beetles, caterpillars, orthopterans, and other arthropods. Forages by gleaning from leaves and twigs and makes short sallies to catch disturbed prey. Occasionally takes small berries when insect prey is scarce.
Preferred Environment
Feeds mostly in the mid to upper canopy of evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, as well as along wooded edges and in shade plantations. Often forages alongside other canopy insectivores in mixed flocks.
