Eurasian Treepie

The Eurasian Treepie, also called the Rufous Treepie, is a slim, long-tailed member of the crow family widespread across the Indian subcontinent and into Southeast Asia. Its warm rufous-brown body plumage contrasts with a glossy black head, and its notably long tail makes up much of its total length. It is a familiar, vocal bird of gardens, groves, and open deciduous woodland.

Contour feathers on the head are glossy black, while the back, breast, and belly are a warm rufous-brown. The wings show a contrasting pale gray patch alongside black flight feathers. The tail is exceptionally long and graduated, mostly gray with a broad black tip, and constitutes a large proportion of the bird's overall length. This long gray-and-black tail combined with the rufous body is diagnostic among South Asian corvids.

Sexes appear similar in plumage. Juveniles are duller overall with a browner head that has not yet acquired the full glossy black of adults, and a somewhat shorter tail before it grows to full adult length. Adults undergo a complete molt annually.

This species occupies open woodland, forest edge, groves, plantations, and well-wooded gardens across the Indian subcontinent, extending into parts of Southeast Asia. It is generally resident, with only local movements related to food availability.

Eurasian Treepies are omnivorous and forage in trees and on the ground, often in small noisy groups. They have a varied vocal repertoire including harsh, metallic, and bubbling calls, sometimes mimicking other birds. Flight between trees is somewhat undulating with the long tail trailing behind. Nests are built as loose stick platforms in trees, and pairs can be quite vocal and bold around human habitation.