Indian Robin

The Indian Robin is a small, confident chat found in dry, open habitats across much of the Indian subcontinent. The adult male is glossy black overall, with a small but conspicuous white patch on the shoulder and rich chestnut-orange feathers under the tail (undertail coverts), often flashed conspicuously during display. Some populations in southern India and Sri Lanka instead show brownish-grey upperparts on the male rather than glossy black.

Females are duller grey-brown throughout, lacking the white shoulder patch but retaining a paler rufous tinge under the tail. Like its relative the Oriental Magpie-Robin, the Indian Robin habitually cocks and fans its tail while perched or foraging, a lively and characteristic habit.

Key field marks

• Northern male: glossy black body, white patch on shoulder, chestnut undertail coverts
• Southern/Sri Lankan male: brownish-grey body instead of black, same white shoulder patch and chestnut vent
• Female: grey-brown overall, paler rufous under the tail, no white shoulder patch
• Frequently cocks and fans the tail while foraging on the ground

Similar species

The Oriental Magpie-Robin is larger, with extensive white on the wings, belly, and outer tail feathers, and a different overall pattern. The Pied Bushchat male is also black-and-white but shows a white rump and lacks the chestnut undertail.

Indian Robins are widespread residents of India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, favoring dry, open habitats such as scrubland, stony or rocky ground, farmland edges, and villages, typically in lowland and plains habitats. They generally avoid dense forest and very wet regions, thriving instead in dry, sparsely vegetated country.

The species is non-migratory, holding fairly small year-round territories.

Voice

The song is a pleasant, warbling series of notes given from a low perch, rock, or the ground; calls include sharp, sputtering chatter notes when alarmed.

Feeding

Indian Robins forage almost entirely on the ground, running and hopping in short bursts to snatch insects and other small invertebrates, often flicking the tail up after each pounce.

Nesting and breeding

The nest is a loose cup of grass, rootlets, and hair placed in a low cavity, wall crevice, or hole in a bank or building. Both sexes may contribute to feeding the chicks, and the species readily nests close to human dwellings.