Grey Treepie

The Grey Treepie, known scientifically as Dendrocitta formosae, is a medium-sized, long-tailed bird that is a member of the crow family. This species, first described by Robert Swinhoe in 1863, exhibits a predominantly grey plumage with subtle regional variations in color and tail length.

Identification Tips

Adult Grey Treepies measure between 36–40 cm in length and weigh approximately 89–121 grams. They can be identified by their overall grey body, dark face and throat with a diffuse mask, and a white carpal patch on the black wing. The vent is a distinctive rufous color, and the outer tail feathers, along with the tips of the central feathers, are black. Both sexes appear similar, while juveniles are duller with a browner nape and rufous-tipped feathers.

Habitat

The Grey Treepie is an arboreal bird that inhabits a variety of environments, including forests, cultivated areas, and regions of human habitation.

Distribution

This species is widely distributed across the foothills of the Himalayas, extending through the Indian Subcontinent into Indochina, southern mainland China, and Taiwan. It can be found at elevations up to 2,400 meters in the Himalayas and between 400 and 1,200 meters in southeastern China.

Behaviour

Grey Treepies are primarily arboreal feeders but will forage on the ground, particularly in cultivated areas. They are known to join mixed-species flocks and exhibit a systematic approach to foraging through hill forests and broad-leaved trees.

Song & Calls

The vocal repertoire of the Grey Treepie is quite varied, ranging from harsh, grating sounds to more melodious notes. Calls include a grating "k-r-r-r-r" as well as "tiddly-aye-kok" and "ko-ku-la," along with a barking "braap…braap…braap."

Breeding

Breeding occurs mainly from May to July in the Himalayan foothills, with nests built in trees and bushes or bamboo clumps. Clutches typically consist of 3-4 eggs, which may be whitish, buffish, or pale green with brown or grey spots. Both parents participate in nest building and feeding the young.

Similar Species

The Grey Treepie forms a superspecies with Dendrocitta occipitalis and Dendrocitta cinerascens, and regional subspecies exhibit slight variations in plumage and tail length.

Diet and Feeding

An omnivorous bird, the Grey Treepie's diet includes insects, invertebrates, berries, nectar, grains, seeds, small reptiles, eggs, and nestlings.

Conservation Status

The Grey Treepie is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. While the global population size is not precisely known, it is estimated that there are significant numbers of breeding pairs in China and Taiwan. However, the population in Hainan may be at risk due to habitat destruction. The species' large range and the relatively slow rate of population decline contribute to its current conservation status.