20-4-2024 BANDHAVGARH, INDIA - RUFOUS TREEPIE (Dendrocitta vagabunda

The Rufous treepie (Dendrocitta vagabunda) is a bird similar to magpie native to South Asia and adjoining parts of Southeast Asia. It is a member of the crow family and like other corvids, it is very adaptable, omnivorous, and opportunistic in feeding. A local name for the Rufous treepie 'kotri' is derived from its typical call; it is also known locally as Handi Chancha and taka chor meaning "coin thief".

The main colour of the body is cinnamon with a black head and the long graduated tail is bluish grey and is tipped in black. The wing has a white patch. The only confusable species is the Grey treepie which however lacks the bright rufous mantle. The bill is stout with a hooked tip. The underparts and lower back are warm tawny-brown to orange-brown in color with white wing coverts and black primaries. The bill, legs, and feet are black. The male and the female of this species look similar.

Rufous treepies are found in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand. They live in open forests consisting of scrub, dry forests, wet forests, montane forests, plantations, gardens, and urban parks. In the Garhwal Himalayas, Rufous treepies migrate seasonally between different elevations.

Rufous treepies are arboreal diurnal birds. They are usually seen in pairs or family groups and may gather in flocks in areas with plentiful food sources. Rufous treepies are agile foragers, clinging and clambering through the branches and sometimes joining mixed hunting parties along with species such as drongos and babblers. Like many other corvids, they cache food. Rufous treepies also feed on ectoparasites of sambar which permit them to perch and position themselves to invite the birds to examine specific parts. These birds have a wide repertoire of calls, but a 'bob-o-link' or 'ko-tree' call is most common. They also make various harsh calls, squawks, and musical notes.

 Rufous treepies have an omnivorous diet. They eat fruits, nectar, seeds, invertebrates, small reptiles, and the eggs and young of birds. They have also been known to take flesh from recently killed carcasses.

Rufous treepies are monogamous and form pairs. In India, they breed from April to June; in Bengal, the peak is in April and May. These birds build their shallow nests in trees and bushes and females usually lay 3-5 eggs. Both parents are known to incubate the eggs and take care of their chicks.