White-crowned Forktail

The White-crowned Forktail, scientifically known as Enicurus leschenaulti, is a striking bird and the largest member of the forktail family. It boasts a length of 25 to 28 centimeters and is easily recognized by its contrasting plumage. The bird's name is derived from the prominent white patch on its crown, which can sometimes appear as a slight crest. Its throat, breast, and mantle are cloaked in black, while the rump and lower back are a stark white. The tail is long, deeply forked, and adorned with black and white bands, adding to its distinctive appearance.

Identification Tips

To identify the White-crowned Forktail, look for its black throat and breast, which sharply contrast with its white belly. The white crown and forehead are key features, along with the black wings that have a prominent white band across the greater coverts. The tail is another distinguishing characteristic, being long, deeply forked, and featuring white tips and bands. Juveniles lack the white crown and have brownish-black upperparts and mottling on the belly.

Habitat

This species favors subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and montane forests. It is often found near fast-flowing rivers, streams, and waterfalls within these forests, and may venture to slower-moving waters in winter.

Distribution

The White-crowned Forktail has a broad range across south and southeast Asia, including parts of India, Bangladesh, China, Myanmar, Bhutan, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Its elevational range varies, from 185 meters above sea level to a maximum of 2,400 meters, depending on the region.

Behaviour

A shy and elusive bird, the White-crowned Forktail stays close to water and is known to wag its tail frequently. It forages along stream edges and in the water, primarily hunting for insects. The bird's flight is low to the ground, often accompanied by its call.

Song & Calls

The White-crowned Forktail communicates with a variety of whistling and clicking calls. Its alarm and contact calls are high-pitched, ringing whistles, while the male's song during display or territorial behavior is a complex mix of long whistles, clicks, and bell-like sounds.

Breeding

Breeding season spans from March to September, possibly extending into October. The nest, constructed near water, is a large cup made of moss, plants, leaves, and wood fiber. Clutch size varies with latitude, with two to five eggs that are creamy or pinkish white, speckled with red-brown, salmon, and lilac.

Similar Species

The White-crowned Forktail can be differentiated from the Spotted Forktail by its completely black mantle, and from the Slaty-backed Forktail by the latter's slate-grey mantle. The Black-backed Forktail is smaller with a shorter tail.

Diet and Feeding

Its diet consists mainly of invertebrates such as black beetles, water crickets, springtails, and caterpillars, which it hunts along the edges of streams and rivers.

Conservation status

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the White-crowned Forktail as a species of Least Concern, with a stable population estimated to be over 10,000 individuals.