shama

Shama is a common name for several small songbirds in the genus Copsychus, belonging to the family Muscicapidae. The best-known species is the white-rumped shama (Copsychus malabaricus), a melodious passerine native to parts of South and Southeast Asia. Shamas are found from the Indian subcontinent through Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, and they inhabit forest edges, bamboo thickets, scrub, and, in many areas, gardens and secondary growth.

In appearance, shamas show variation by species, but males are typically darker and often glossy, with distinctive white rump or throat patches, while females are duller, usually brownish or grayish. They have a slender build and a long tail, and they perch readily on exposed branches from which they sing. Their vocalizations are renowned for being flute-like and flowing, making them prized in the songbird trade.

Diet consists mainly of insects and other small invertebrates, supplemented by fruit and berries when available. Shamas are generally territorial during the breeding season and build nests in tree cavities or natural hollows. Clutch size is usually around 3 to 5 eggs, with both parents participating in incubation and chick rearing.

Conservation status varies by species and region. The white-rumped shama is not globally threatened, but local populations have declined in parts of Asia due to habitat loss and trapping for the pet trade. In captivity, shamas are kept as songbirds and require spacious enclosures, a varied diet, and careful welfare management to meet their behavioral needs.