Copsychus malabaricus (White-rumped Shama)
Datasheet Types: Host animal, Documented species
Abstract
This datasheet on Copsychus malabaricus covers Identity, Overview, Distribution, Dispersal, Biology & Ecology, Environmental Requirements, Impacts, Uses, Prevention/Control, Further Information.
Identity
- Preferred Scientific Name
- Copsychus malabaricus (Scopoli, 1786)
- Preferred Common Name
- White-rumped Shama
- Other Scientific Names
- Kittacincla malabarica
- Muscicapa malabarica Scopoli, 1788
- International Common Names
-
EnglishShamaWhite-rumped Shama
-
SpanishShama Culiblanco
-
FrenchShama à croupion blanc
- Local Common Names
-
GermanySchamadrossel
-
IndonesiaKucica hutan
Pictures
Male
White-rumped Shama (Copsychus malabaricus) male; Khao Yai National Park, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
©J.J. Harrison - CC BY-SA 3.0
Female
White-rumped Shama (Copsychus malabaricus) female; Khao Yai National Park, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
©J.J. Harrison - CC BY-SA 3.0
Summary of Invasiveness
Copsychus malabaricus is a passerine bird native to south and south-east Asia. Its popularity as a cage bird has caused significant population declines in parts of its native range, but international trade has resulted in the establishment (since the 1980s) of a feral population in Taiwan, where it is of concern as a possible invasive species. It was introduced in the 1930s to Hawaii, where there is concern that the well-established population may negatively affect native bird species. However there is no evidence confirming any significant negative effects in either Taiwan or Hawaii.
Taxonomic Tree
Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
According to Pyle and Pyle (2009), C. malabaricus was formerly considered a member of the thrush family, but they follow more recent taxonomies (Voelker and Spellman, 2004; Clements, 2007; Billerman and Chesser, 2010) considering it within the Old-World flycatchers, Muscicapidae.
Collar (2005) states the following:
‘Race stricklandii (together with barbouri) commonly treated as a separate species, but intergrades with suavis over a zone almost 300 km wide. Distinctive insular race albiventris putatively worthy of species status; detailed analysis needed. Additional described races based on minor differences and small sample sizes: indicus (Nepal E to N Indochina), pellogynus (SE Myanmar, Peninsular Thailand) and minor (Hainan I) regarded as synonyms of interpositus; mallopercnus (W Malaysia), javanus (W & C Java), omissus (E Java), eumesus (Natuna Is) and ochroptilus (Anamba Is) as synonyms of tricolor; and opisthopelus (Batu Is) and opisthisus (Banyak Is) as synonyms of melanurus. It seems rather improbable that characters of macrourus will prove constant, in which case this name would apply to all populations currently placed in interpositus. Twelve subspecies currently recognized:
1.
malabaricus (Scopoli, 1786) - W & S India.
2.
leggei (Whistler, 1941) - Sri Lanka.
3.
interpositus (Robinson & Kloss, 1922) - Nepal, N, CE & NE India, Myanmar, S China (S Yunnan), Thailand and Indochina.
4.
macrourus (J. F. Gmelin, 1789) - Con Son I, in S Vietnam.
5.
albiventris (Blyth, 1859) - Andaman Is.
6.
tricolor (Vieillot, 1818) - W Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Bangka, Belitung, Natuna Is and Anamba Is.
7.
melanurus (Salvadori, 1887) - W Sumatran islands (except Enggano).
8.
mirabilis Hoogerwerf, 1962 - Prinsen I.
9.
nigricauda (Vorderman, 1893) - Kangean I.
10.
stricklandii Motley & Dillwyn, 1855 - N Borneo, including Banggi I.
11.
suavis P. L. Sclater, 1861 - Borneo (Sarawak and Kalimantan).
12.
barbouri (Bangs & J. L. Peters, 1927) - Maratua Is, in E Borneo.’
Sibley and Monroe (1990) treat C. stricklandii as a separate species, noting that although it has been considered conspecific with C. malabaricus, they are sympatric in northern Borneo; BirdLife International (2015) notes this, but treats them as a single species following Collar (2004).
Description
C. malabaricus is recognisable by its extremely long black tail with white outer feathers, its chestnut belly and the white patch on its lower back. Females are distinctly smaller than males and more brownish rather than black. Juveniles have shorter tails and the brownish colouration of females (with scalloped plumage on the breast -- S. Conant, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, personal communication, 2015). Males average 27cm in length with a tail about 18cm long, while females average 22cm in length with a tail of approximately 14.5cm (Low, 2006).
Pathogens Carried
Distribution
C. malabaricus has a large range extending from northern India, Nepal and southern China south to Sri Lanka and Indonesia (BirdLife International, 2015). The population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction and the pet trade (BirdLife International, 2015, citing Collar, 2005); for example, Shepherd et al. (2004) reported that cage-bird traders in Sumatra claimed that it had vanished from many areas throughout the island. It has been introduced to Hawaii (Pyle and Pyle, 2009) and Taiwan (Fan et al 2009).
Distribution Map
Distribution Table
History of Introduction and Spread
C. malabaricus has been widely traded as part of the pet trade, but feral populations have become established only in Hawaii and Taiwan (Aguon and Conant, 1994; Roberts et al., 1998; Lever, 2005; Fan et al., 2009).
In Hawaii, C. malabaricus (the Nepalese and north-east Indian subspecies C. m. indicus) was originally introduced to Kaua'i in 1931 (or possibly as early as 1924), and was well established there within a few years. In 1938-40 the species was introduced to O'ahu (different sources report the origin as India, Java and Malaysia), where it was initially localised but spread to much of the island between the 1960s and the 1980s (Pyle and Pyle, 2009).
More recently, it has spread naturally to Moloka'i (first report 1997; now widespread), Lana'i (first report 2009) and possibly Ni'ihau (reported on a nearby islet in 2005). Reports from Maui are unconfirmed (Pyle and Pyle, 2009).
Pyle and Pyle (2009) provide more detail on the introduction and spread of the species in Hawaii.
The species was imported to Taiwan as a pet and has been observed in the wild since 1988 (Fan et al., 2009).
Introductions
| Introduced to | Introduced from | Year | Reasons | Introduced by | Established in wild through | References | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural reproduction | Continuous restocking | |||||||
| Hawaii | Since 1924 | Yes | Yes | Initial introductions were of Nepalese and NE Indian subspecies; later introductions may have been from elsewhere | ||||
| Taiwan | since 1988 | Yes | No | |||||
Risk of Introduction
Shieh et al. (2006) consider C. malabaricus to be of concern as being likely to spread in Taiwan, because of its invasiveness elsewhere.
Means of Movement and Dispersal
Natural Dispersal (Non-Biotic)
Following introduction to two Hawaiian islands, the species has spread naturally to further islands (Pyle and Pyle, 2009).
Intentional Introduction:
C. malabaricus was deliberately introduced to Hawaii to supplement the native fauna (Roberts et al., 1998).
The pet trade is responsible for its presence in Taiwan (Fan et al., 2009). Large numbers of individuals were reported by Shepherd et al. (2004) as being exported from Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia, to Europe, and this is presumably not the only international trade flow of the species, but this trade does not appear to have resulted in the establishment of feral populations in other countries.
Pathway Causes
| Pathway cause | Notes | Long distance | Local | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intentional release (pathway cause) | Yes | |||
| Pet trade (pathway cause) | Yes | Yes | ||
| Self-propelled (pathway cause) | Has spread between islands in Hawaii | Yes |
Habitat
In its native range C. malabaricus is primarily found in lowland habitats up to 500-600 m in altitude, although in Thailand it can be found up to 1500 m. It lives in a wide range of habitats, from the undergrowth of logged and unlogged mixed dipterocarp forest to mixed bamboo forest, secondary jungle, overgrown tree plantations, and costal vegetation. It has a preference for shady ravines (Fan et al 2009, citing Hoyo et al., 2005).
In Hawaii, it lives mostly in lower levels of heavy lush forest, also in dense haole koa thickets, and sometimes in suburban yards; it rarely penetrates very far into native rainforest (Pratt et al. 1987, cited in NatureServe, 2015).
In Taiwan, Fan et al. (2009) found it in secondary forest, parks, botanical gardens and school campuses, especially when these areas had bamboo stands and large trees which provided suitable holes for nesting.
Habitat List
| Category | Sub category | Habitat | Presence | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terrestrial | ||||
| Terrestrial | Terrestrial – Managed | Managed forests, plantations and orchards | Present, no further details | Natural |
| Terrestrial | Terrestrial – Managed | Disturbed areas | Present, no further details | |
| Terrestrial | Terrestrial ‑ Natural / Semi-natural | Natural forests | Present, no further details | Natural |
| Littoral | Coastal areas | Present, no further details | Natural | |
| Littoral | Mangroves | Present, no further details | Natural |
Biology and Ecology
Reproductive Biology
Aguon and Conant (1994) studied the breeding biology of the species in Hawaii. They found that nesting occurred between March and July, following a relatively consistent period of high rainfall from November to April, and cite Ali and Ripley (1973) as saying that in India breeding takes place from March to August. The species was found to be monogamous, with pair bonds lasting at least 2 years. Only the females build nests (Ali and Ripley, 1973); nests are located in a tree cavity or hollow of bamboo and padded with rootlets and leaves. Man-made cavities can also be used (NatureServe, 2015). NatureServe (2015), based on Aguon and Conant (1994) and other sources and describing the situation in Hawaii, states that clutch size is up to 4-5, but usually 3-4; incubation (by the female) averages 13-14 days; both sexes tend the young; and the nestling period averages 12-13 days. There are one or two broods per year.
Longevity
The maximum longevity in the wild is reported as 7 years (Human Ageing Genetic Resources, 2015, citing Roberts et al., 1998).
Activity Patterns
C. malabaricus is a sedentary bird (Fan et al., 2009).
Nutrition
C. malabaricus is insectivorous and forages mainly on the ground and in low vegetation for arthropods, worms and berries (Fan et al., 2009, citing Hoyo et al., 2005).
Climate
| Climate type | Description | Preferred or tolerated | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Af - Tropical rainforest climate | > 60mm precipitation per month | Preferred | |
| Am - Tropical monsoon climate | Tropical monsoon climate ( < 60mm precipitation driest month but > (100 - [total annual precipitation(mm}/25])) | Preferred | |
| As - Tropical savanna climate with dry summer | < 60mm precipitation driest month (in summer) and < (100 - [total annual precipitation{mm}/25]) | Preferred | |
| Aw - Tropical wet and dry savanna climate | < 60mm precipitation driest month (in winter) and < (100 - [total annual precipitation{mm}/25]) | Preferred |
List of Diseases and Disorders
Impact: Environmental
In Hawaii, concerns have been expressed about C. malabaricus competing with the native Puaohi (Myadestes palmeri) for food (Pyle and Pyle (2009), citing Snetsinger et al. (1999) and Foster (2009)), and with the kama’o (Myadestes myadestinus) for food and nest sites (US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2006). According to Roberts et al. (1998), there is however no evidence to confirm that it has had any negative impacts on native species in Hawaii through direct competition, but populations may act as reservoirs for introduced diseases, such as avian malaria, to which native Hawaiian birds have little resistance.
Fan et al. (2009) express concern that C. malabaricus will have a negative impact on native biological diversity in forest areas in Taiwan, which may include competition with other cavity-nesting birds, and predatory behaviour on vertebrates and arthropods; they argue that it must be assumed to be important. However, its impact in Taiwan has not yet been studied.
Threatened Species
| Threatened species | Where threatened | Mechanisms | References | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loxioides bailleui (palila) |
Hawaii
|
Competition - monopolizing resources
|
Risk and Impact Factors
Invasiveness
Has a broad native range
Abundant in its native range
Highly adaptable to different environments
Is a habitat generalist
Capable of securing and ingesting a wide range of food
Has high reproductive potential
Impact mechanisms
Competition - monopolizing resources
Likelihood of entry/control
Highly likely to be transported internationally deliberately
Uses
Economic Value
C. malabaricus is a graceful bird with a haunting melodious song (Pyle and Pyle, 2009), and is caught and traded in large numbers for the cage-bird trade (Shepherd et al., 2004).
Uses List
General > Pet/aquarium trade
Prevention and Control
Due to the variable regulations around (de)registration of pesticides, your national list of registered pesticides or relevant authority should be consulted to determine which products are legally allowed for use in your country when considering chemical control. Pesticides should always be used in a lawful manner, consistent with the product's label.
Eradication
Fan et al. (2009) recommend an eradication and regulation project for C. malabaricus in Taiwan; one was conducted in certain counties in 2007-2008.
Movement Control
Fan et al. (2009) recommend strict control of the import of C. malabaricus to Taiwan. Shepherd et al. (2004) recommend that it should be listed on CITES Appendix II or III to monitor and control international trade, although this is because of the negative effect of the pet trade on populations in the native range rather than because of concerns about invasiveness, and http://checklist.cites.org indicates that it has not been so listed.
Monitoring and Surveillance
Fan et al. (2009) recommend constant nationwide monitoring of the distribution and abundance of the species in Taiwan.
Gaps in Knowledge/Research Needs
There is no information available about impacts that C. malabaricus might have on native or endemic species.
Links to Websites
| Name | URL | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| GISD/IASPMR: Invasive Alien Species Pathway Management Resource and DAISIE European Invasive Alien Species Gateway | https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.m93f6 | Data source for updated system data added to species habitat list. |
| Global register of Introduced and Invasive species (GRIIS) | http://griis.org/ | Data source for updated system data added to species habitat list. |
| IUCN Red List | http://www.redlist.org |
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References
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Ali S, Ripley D, 1973. Handbook of the birds of India and Pakistan, vol. 8. Bombay, India: Oxford University Press.
Billerman S, Chesser T, 2010. Transfer eight species from the Turdidae to the Muscicapidae. N&MA Classification Committee Proposals 2010-B., USA: American Ornithologists' Union, 2-7. http://www.readbag.com/aou-committees-nacc-proposals-2010-b
BirdLife International, 2015. Species factsheet: Copsychus malabaricus. Cambridge, UK: BirdLife International. http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=32266
Clements JF, 2007. The Clements checklist of the birds of the world (6th ed.). Ithaca, New York: Cornell University Press, 843 pp.
Collar NJ, 2004. Species limits in some Indonesian thrushes. Forktail, 20:71-87. http://orientalbirdclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Collar-Thrushes.pdf
Collar NJ, 2005. Family Turdidae (Thrushes). In: Handbook of the birds of the world Vol 10: Cuckoo-shrikes to Thrushes [ed. by Hoyo, \J. del \Elliott, A. \Christie, D. A.]. Barcelona, Spain: Lynx Edicions, 514-807.
Fan MW, Lin Fang RS;W, Lin YH, 2009. The distribution and abundance of the alien invasive White-rumped Shama (Copsychus malabaricus) in Taiwan. 54(3): 248-254. http://www.researchgate. Taiwania, 54(3):248-254. http://www.researchgate.net/publication/255485364_The_distribution_and_abundance_of_the_alien_invasive_White-rumped_Shama_%28_Copsychus_malabaricus_%29_in_Taiwan
Foster JT, 2009. The history and impact of introduced birds. In: Conservation biology of Hawaiian forest birds: Implications for island avifauna [ed. by Pratt, T. K. \Atkinson, C. T. \Banko, P. C. \Jacobi, J. D. \Woodworth, B. L.]. New Haven, Connecticut, USA: Yale University Press, 312-330.
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Human Ageing Genetic Resources, 2015. AnAge: The database of animal ageing and longevity. http://genomics.senescence.info/species/
Lever C, 2005. Naturalised birds of the world. London, UK: T & AD Poyser.
Long JL, 1981. Introduced birds of the world: the worldwide history, distribution and influence of birds introduced to new environments. New York, USA: Universe Books, 528 pp.
Low E, 2006. White-rumped shama. In: Singapore Infopedia: an electronic encyclopedia on Singapore's history, culture, people and events. Singapore: National Library Board. http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_1510_2009-04-21.html
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Shepherd CR, Sukumaran J, Wich SA, 2004. Open season: an analysis of the pet trade in Medan, Sumatra 1997-2001. Selangor, Malaysia: TRAFFIC Southeast Asia, vi + 59 pp.
Shieh BS, Lin YH, Lee TW, Chang CC, Cheng KT, 2006. Pet trade as sources of introduced bird species in Taiwan. Taiwania, 51(2):81-86. http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Bao-Sen_Shieh/publication/238507710_Pet_Trade_as_Sources_of_Introduced_Bird_Species_in_Taiwan/links/0f3175371bd9f5242f000000.pdf
Sibley CG, Monroe BL, 1990. Distribution and taxonomy of birds of the world. New Haven, Connecticut, USA: Yale University Press, 1111 pp.
Snetsinger TJ, Wakelee KM, Fancy SG, 1999. Puaiohi. Birds of North America, 461. 1-20. http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/461
US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2006. In: Revised Recovery Plan for Hawaiian Forest Birds.US Fish and Wildlife Service. 622 pp.
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Published online: 29 April 2013
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