Common Woodshrike
Tephrodornis pondicerianus
林鵙
Introduction
A small passerine bird in the Vangidae family. The species ranges across South and Southeast Asia, including Pakistan, northwest India through to south Laos, Cambodia, and south Vietnam. Inhabits thin forest and scrub habitats where it forages for insects. Often joins mixed-species flocks with other insectivorous birds. The Sri Lanka population, formerly considered a subspecies, is now treated as a separate species due to distinct plumage and vocalizations.
Description
A small ashy-brown bird with a large head and strong hooked beak. The plumage features a broad creamy-white brow above a prominent dark cheek patch. The tail is dark with contrasting white outer feathers. Young birds are heavily streaked and spotted on the crown, mantle, and breast. The northern subspecies (pallidus) is pale brown above and differs in having brown rather than black central tail feathers.
Identification
Distinguished from other woodshrikes by its broad creamy brow and dark cheek patch combination. The white outer tail feathers are visible in flight and contrast sharply with the dark tail. Sri Lanka woodshrike is larger and shows strong sexual dimorphism, unlike the cryptic plumage of this species.
Distribution & Habitat
Three subspecies are recognized: pallidus occurs in Pakistan and northwest India; pondicerianus ranges from east India to south Laos; orientis is found in Cambodia and south Vietnam. Inhabits open woodland, forest edges, and scrub. Generally resident within its range with some local movements.
Behavior & Ecology
Typically occurs in pairs. Has a loud whistling song of several rapid notes. The characteristic call is a plaintive weet-weet followed by quick whi-whi-whi-whee notes. Feeds mainly on insects and occasionally berries by gleaning along branches and leaves. Also makes aerial sallies and forages on the ground. Performs a distinctive wing-raising display after alighting. Nests in summer before monsoons, building a cup nest in a bare fork using fibers, bark, and cobwebs, decorated with lichen. Lays three eggs, with both parents incubating. May raise two broods annually.
Conservation
No specific conservation assessment details provided in available sources.
Culture
No cultural significance or folklore details provided in available sources.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Vangidae
- Genus
- Tephrodornis
- eBird Code
- comwoo1
Vocalizations
Subspecies (3)
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Tephrodornis pondicerianus orientis
Cambodia and southern Vietnam
-
Tephrodornis pondicerianus pallidus
Pakistan and northwestern India
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Tephrodornis pondicerianus pondicerianus
eastern India to Myanmar, northern Thailand, and southern Laos
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bird images and sounds sourced from GBIF, contributed by citizen scientists worldwide under Creative Commons licenses.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.