Home › Aves › Campephagidae › Black-headed Cuckooshrike (Lalage melanoptera)
SPECIES PROFILE
Black-headed Cuckooshrike (Lalage melanoptera)
Lalage
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Aves
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Indian subcontinent southeast Asia
DIET
Insectivorous
HABITAT
Open woodlands scrub gardens
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Aves
ORDER
Passeriformes
FAMILY
Campephagidae
GENUS
Lalage
📋 Description
SIZE
18-20 cm long 20-30 g
COLORATION
Males black head grey body females barred
ADAPTATIONS
Strong bill for insect catching perches in open
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Open woodlands scrub gardens
DIET
Insectivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Indian subcontinent southeast Asia
REPRODUCTION
Lays 2-3 eggs in cup nests incubated 14-16 days
DIET DETAILS
Insects small invertebrates
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Pesticide use habitat loss
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Headed Hunters: Black-headed Cuckooshrikes perch with 25-gram bodies catching 8 grams of insects daily in Rajasthan's scrub. Males' black heads are striking.
2
Scrub Nesters: These cuckooshrikes cover 2000 sq km in Gujarat's woodlands nesting in trees. Deforestation threatens their perches.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan
Jamnagar in Gujarat
Jorbeer Conservation Reserve in Rajasthan
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Year-round Scrub ensures visibility for spotting cuckooshrikes
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Watch black-headed cuckooshrikes perched in open woodlands
