The Oriental cuckooshrike is a species of bird in the family Campephagidae. It is widely distributed from the Himalayas through Southeast Asia to east China and Taiwan. It is also found on the islands of Java and Bali in Indonesia. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest. The range of this species was formerly restricted to Java and Bali and had the English name "Javan cuckooshrike".
Region
South and Southeast Asia to East Asia
Typical Environment
This species inhabits subtropical and tropical moist lowland forests, forest edges, and well-wooded secondary growth. It often uses riverine forests, plantations with tall trees, and wooded hillsides. In parts of its range it ventures into mangroves and semi-open habitats with scattered canopy trees. It typically keeps to the mid and upper canopy where it moves deliberately among foliage and branches.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Oriental cuckooshrike is a medium-sized member of the Campephagidae that forages quietly in the mid to upper canopy. It ranges from the Himalayan foothills through much of Southeast Asia to east China and Taiwan, and also occurs on Java and Bali. It was once thought to be confined to Java and Bali and was then called the Javan cuckooshrike. Its soft, unobtrusive calls and barred underparts help distinguish it from similar gray cuckooshrikes.
Temperament
quiet, shy, and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief glides
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or in small family groups, and it may join mixed-species flocks in forest canopies. Nesting is in trees, where a small cup nest is placed high on a horizontal branch. Both parents typically participate in incubation and feeding of the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are soft, thin whistles and mellow chups given from the canopy. The song is subdued and intermittent, often delivered between foraging bouts, making the species easy to overlook.
Plumage
Smooth gray upperparts with contrasting darker wings; underparts show fine, dark barring over a pale gray to whitish base. The head often shows a duskier mask and slightly paler throat, with clean, narrow bars continuing onto the flanks.
Diet
Feeds mainly on insects such as caterpillars, beetles, and orthopterans gleaned from leaves and branches. It occasionally sallies to catch flying insects and may probe into clusters of leaves for hidden prey. Small berries or other soft fruits can supplement its diet seasonally.
Preferred Environment
Foraging occurs mostly in the mid to upper canopy of mature forest, edges, and tall secondary growth. It also hunts along forested streams and in plantations with large shade trees.
