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Juvenile male Oriental Magpie Robin moulting

on 9th November 2009

The head, upper side and upper breast of the adult male Oriental Magpie Robin (Copsychus saularis) is glossy black. The lower breast to vent is white while there is a broad white wing stripe and white outer tail feathers.

The female is different from the male in that the black body plumage is replaced by dark grey. The juvenile male looks like the female except that the upper parts are somewhat darker, soon showing some glossy black feathers.

The images above show a juvenile bird undergoing active moulting into an adult plumage. The feathers at the back have become darker, not so those around the head, which are still grey (left). The upper breast has become mostly black, with patches of grey remaining (right). Apparently the feathers around the head will be the last to take up the adult form.

Images by Lena Chow

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

2 Responses

  1. Hi Lena: Interesting! You don’t say where you saw the great songster leh? Are they back in Singapore? Pray tell.. Cheers, KF

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