Characteristics:
About 23 cm long. Unmistakable pied plumage. The male is mainly bluish-black with a long white wing bar, white tail edges and white underparts. The female is similar, but dark grey in place of bluish-black. Fond of feeding in the open lawn. Often cocks tail. Loud and varied song.

Distribution:
Resident. Often seen in the countryside and major urban parks.

Habits:
Highly commensal with man. Mainly feeds
on insects. A popular cagebird for its melodious song.

Photo: Cheung Ho Fai