White-Rumped Shama

As always, I'm late again with the posts :/

This week I'll be introducing you to a bird you might've seen around campus at some point or another!  And if you haven't, then you've probably heard it at some point.

White-Rumped Shama
Copsychus malabaricus
AKA Shama Thrush
Alien

The White-Rumped Shama is an alien to the islands of O‘ahu and Kaua‘i, the only two islands it inhabits here in Hawai‘i.   It's most commonly found in lowland alien forests, though it can also be found in native forests. In recent years, it has been reported on Maui and Moloka‘i. In 1931, it was intentionally introduced to Kaua‘i, and in 1940 it was released into the wild on O‘ahu.

 Its body size ranges from 9 to 11 inches, with variations between the sexes.  Males (pictured above) are a glossy black above with an orange ("chestnut" by the book) belly and the trademark white rump (rump refers to the feathers on the top of the tail above the butthole, excuse my poor choice of words here).  The have a "long graduated tail with white tips" (102).  Females, on the other hand, are a duller color, with dark grey above and an orange-yellow belly, along with a shorter tail.  "Both sexes have a dark bill and pink legs" (102). The immatures are "brown with a spotted breast, white rump,   and buffy wing bars; [they] can be mistaken for an ‘Elepaio" (102).

This bird has quite the voice!  "Considered by many to be the most gifted songster in the islands" (102).  It has a beautiful song that consists of a variety of loud clear whistles and phrases, though it often mimics other birds.

White-rumped Shamas can and are usually found in dense vegetation, but "are not shy and can be attracted by imitating their song or call" (102). The males are highly territorial, and will flick their tails to flash the white rump and spots on tail when agitated.  Shama's main diet are insects and fruit, which it feeds upon closer to the ground.  On KCC campus, I have often seen it in the banyan tree behind Lama library, and in the trees right below the stairs leading to Mokihana and Maile buildings.  Next time, try whistling to see if it'll come out!  The males are the easiest to spot; I myself have yet to see a female Shama.