The white-rumped shama is a passerine bird in the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae. Native to densely vegetated habitats in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, its popularity as a cage-bird and songster has led to it being introduced elsewhere. The Larwo shama, the Kangean shama and the Sri Lanka shama were formerly considered to be conspecific with the white-rumped shama.
Region
South and Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Occurs from the Indian subcontinent through the Malay Peninsula, Greater Sunda Islands, and parts of Indochina, favoring dense undergrowth. It inhabits primary and secondary evergreen forests, bamboo thickets, forest edges, and shaded gardens and parks. Often found along streams and in ravines with tangled vegetation. It tolerates modified landscapes if thick cover remains. Introduced populations are established on some oceanic islands where it occupies similar dense shrub layers.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 3/5
A celebrated songster, the white-rumped shama produces rich, varied phrases and often mimics other birds. Males display by fanning their long tails and singing from shaded perches. It adapts well to secondary growth and gardens, which helps it persist near people. Escaped cage birds have established introduced populations on several islands, including parts of Hawaii.
Sonogram
Temperament
shy but strongly territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between dense cover
Social Behavior
Typically solitary or in pairs, maintaining territories in dense understory. The male performs prominent song displays from shaded perches and during short flights. Nests are placed in cavities, tree hollows, or dense tangles, with both parents feeding the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Rich, fluting, and highly varied phrases delivered with clear whistles and trills; often includes mimicry of other species. Most vigorous at dawn and dusk, but males may sing throughout the day, especially in the breeding season.
