The Pied Bushchat (Saxicola caprata) is a small passerine bird found
ranging from
 West
and Central Asia to South and Southeast Asia. About sixteen subspecies
are recognized through its wide range with many island forms. It is a
familiar bird of countryside and open scrub or grassland where it is
found perched at the top of short thorn trees or other shrubs, looking
out for insect prey. They pick up insects mainly from the ground, and
were, like other chats, placed in the thrush family Turdidae, but are
now considered as Old World flycatchers.
They nest in cavities in stone walls or in holes in an embankment,
lining the nest with grass and animal hair. The males are black with
white shoulder and vent patches whose extent varies among the
subspecies. Females are predominantly brownish while juveniles are
speckled. |
