Wildlifeof Bhutan
Black-backed Forktail
Thrushes, Chats & Flycatchers
Photo: (c) Rejoice Gassah, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY (May be cropped or resized)
Enicurus immaculatus
Basic stats
Habitat
Solitary, sometimes in pairs; nest of plant matter in holes or crevices in rocks and dead trees; breeds largely below 600m in India and Bhutan
Range
Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Thailand; uncommon west of Sikkim but common in Bhutan
Clutch size
Usually 3 pinkish eggs with fine red-brown speckles
The black-backed forktail, occasionally called the black-throated forktail, was described in 1836 from a specimen collected in Nepal. It has a broad white stripe across the forehead, with black crown, face and mantle sharply divided from the white underparts, and a long, deeply forked black tail with a white tip and three white bands. The bill is black and the legs light pink (Wikipedia, general species account).
It ranges across Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Thailand. West of Sikkim the species is uncommon, but it is common in Bhutan, where it breeds largely below 600m. The bird is solitary, occasionally in pairs or family groups, and breeds between March and June. Both sexes build the nest and incubate the usually three eggs. The call is a short, whistled 'tseep-dew' or 'hurt-zeee'.
Quick answers
- What habitat does the Black-backed Forktail live in?
- Solitary, sometimes in pairs; nest of plant matter in holes or crevices in rocks and dead trees; breeds largely below 600m in India and Bhutan
- Where is the Black-backed Forktail found?
- Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Thailand; uncommon west of Sikkim but common in Bhutan
- How many eggs does the Black-backed Forktail lay?
- Usually 3 pinkish eggs with fine red-brown speckles