A beautiful singer
no less wonderful for being common
In Birds of Nepal (Fleming, Fleming & Bangdel) it’s listed as the robin dayal, mirroring its local name, (though the Oriental magpie-robin seems to be its official moniker) and to quote them: “Common: the garden singer in city, village and grove… Song a strong, varied melody for many seconds… KV1: on roof tops; the first singer on a spring morning, beginning at 4:30 A.M. or earlier.”
I also like the description from the Helm Field Guides’ Birds of Nepal: “Confiding and conspicuous. Partly crepuscular.” Though honestly I’m not sure what confiding means in this context.
While I can’t speak for its song beginning at 4:30 am or earlier, as for the rest… absolutely. In fact, it seems to me like it sings anytime of day. On wires or pipes and protrusions atop roofs and water tanks, and often (though not in these pictures) with its tail spread like a fan, it’s ubiquitous, and lately, its song has seemed louder and more noticeable, and I’ve come to recognize and look out for it.
Just because something is common doesn’t mean it’s not beautiful, and this little bird is a lovely soundtrack to my days.
Kathmandu Valley