Rufous Treepie

The Rufous Treepie is a conspicuous, long-tailed corvid found throughout the Indian subcontinent, familiar in gardens, groves, and open woodland where its warm rufous plumage and bold behavior make it easy to notice. As a member of the crow family, it shares the intelligence and adaptability typical of corvids.

Often moving in small noisy groups, treepies are quick to investigate new food sources and are known for a wide vocal repertoire, ranging from harsh calls to more musical notes.

• Body is a rich rufous-orange on the back, breast, and belly
• Head, neck, and upper breast form a contrasting black hood
• Wings show a pale gray to whitish patch among otherwise black flight feathers, conspicuous in flight
• Tail is long and graduated, grayish with a black terminal band, making up nearly half the bird's total length
• Distinguished from other treepies and corvids by the combination of black hood, rufous body, and long gray-and-black tail

Adults of both sexes look alike, with the rufous body, black hood, and long gray-black tail present year-round. Juveniles are duller and less richly colored, with a browner hood before molting into the adult pattern. There is no strong seasonal plumage variation, though feather wear can dull the rufous tones between molts.

The Rufous Treepie is found throughout the Indian subcontinent in open woodland, deciduous forest edges, groves, parks, and gardens, generally avoiding dense unbroken forest. It is a resident species, holding territories year-round and rarely undertaking significant movements.

This adaptable corvid has an omnivorous diet, taking insects, small vertebrates, fruit, and scraps, and it readily visits gardens and feeding stations. Nests are bulky stick platforms built in tree forks. Rufous Treepies are highly vocal, producing a wide range of calls from harsh chattering to more bell-like notes, and often move and forage in small family groups.