Purple Cochoa
Cochoa purpurea
紫宽嘴鸫
Introduction
A bird of Asian temperate forests, including the Himalayan region and Southeast Asia. It inhabits dense woodland canopies and often remains motionless for extended periods. Its taxonomic placement has been debated between the thrush family Turdidae and the Old World flycatchers (Muscicapidae), with molecular studies increasingly supporting placement in Turdidae.
Description
A medium-sized forest bird with striking plumage that varies dramatically depending on lighting conditions. The crown displays a silvery-blue coloration, while a distinctive black mask extends across the eye region. The wings are predominantly black with a conspicuous grey carpal patch at the base and a prominent wing patch visible in flight. The tail is silvery blue, terminating in a bold black band. Males exhibit dull purplish-grey on the secondaries and wing coverts, with an overall greyish body coloration. Females are similarly patterned but show rufous tones that replace the purple hues seen in males. In shaded forest conditions, the bird appears considerably darker overall, with its true colours only becoming apparent when direct sunlight catches the plumage.
Identification
The combination of silvery-blue crown and tail with a black eye mask and terminal tail band provides distinctive field marks. The grey carpal patch on the black wings and overall wing pattern help distinguish it from similar-looking forest birds. The dramatic colour change between shade and sunlit conditions is a key identification characteristic. Females are readily identified by their rufous coloration replacing the male's purplish-grey tones. The bird's habit of remaining motionless in the canopy, combined with its quiet behaviour, makes visual confirmation challenging until the individual moves or sun illuminates its plumage.
Distribution & Habitat
Ranges across much of the Himalayan region and Southeast Asia, with confirmed populations in Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam. Within India, the species occurs along the Himalayan chain with its western limit approximately 100 kilometres west of Musoorie. Inhabits both subtropical and tropical moist lowland forests as well as subtropical and tropical moist montane forests, typically remaining within the canopy layer of mature woodland. The species appears to require relatively undisturbed forest habitat with intact canopy cover.
Behavior & Ecology
A sedentary and relatively inactive species that spends most of its time perched motionless in the forest canopy. The breeding season spans May through July, during which pairs construct cup-shaped nests positioned in tree forks. Nests are expertly camouflaged with moss, lichens, and a distinctive white thread-like fungal material. Clutches typically consist of three pale sea-green eggs marked with blotchy patterns, with both parents sharing incubation duties. The birds exhibit shy behaviour at the nest, slipping away silently at the first sign of disturbance. Vocalizations include a low whistled song and calls described as a sharp 'sit' and soft 'trrr' notes. Mornings and evenings may reveal an iora-like whistling call. Diet consists primarily of berries, insects, and molluscs, with feeding behaviour often resembling flycatcher techniques—making short sallies from perch to capture prey or picking fruits from vegetation.
Culture
The genus name derives from the Nepali word for this bird, reflecting its cultural significance within local communities. The species was formally described and named by British naturalist Brian Houghton Hodgson, who conducted extensive ornithological work in Nepal during the 19th century. Early naturalist Charles Inglis documented observations of the species' distinctive whistling calls, contributing to the written record of its natural history. Beyond these taxonomic and observational contributions, the bird does not appear prominently in extensive folklore or cultural traditions, though its Nepali name indicates long-standing recognition among local peoples.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Turdidae
- Genus
- Cochoa
- eBird Code
- purcoc1
Distribution
montane forest of Himalayas from northern India (Uttarakhand) eastward to western Arunachal Pradesh and southern Assam hills, eastern Myanmar, south-central China (southern Sichuan and Yunnan), northwestern Thailand, northern Laos, and northern Vietnam (northern Tonkin)
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.