About Copsychus malabaricus (Scopoli, 1786)
Copsychus malabaricus individuals typically weigh between 28 and 34 g (1.0 and 1.2 oz), and measure around 23–28 cm (9–11 in) in total length. Males have glossy black plumage, a chestnut belly, and white feathers on the rump and outer tail. Females have more greyish-brown colouration, and are usually shorter than males. Both sexes have a black bill and pink feet. Juveniles have a greyish-brown colouration that matches that of females, with a blotchy or spotted chest. This species is native to scrub and secondary forests across South and Southeast Asia. It has been introduced to multiple locations outside its native range: it was first brought to Kauai, Hawaii from Malaysia by Alexander Isenberger in early 1931, and introduced to Oahu, Hawaii by the Hui Manu Society in 1940. Because the species is popular as a cage bird, many escaped individuals have gone on to establish new wild populations. It has also been introduced to Taiwan, where it is classified as an invasive species; introduced populations there eat native insect species, and act aggressively toward native bird species. Within its native Asian range, Copsychus malabaricus inhabits dense undergrowth, particularly in bamboo forests. In Hawaii, the species is common in valley forests and on the ridges of the southern Koolaus, and generally nests in undergrowth or low trees of lowland broadleaf forests.
