Wildlifeof Vietnam
Grey Treepie
Crows, Drongos, Orioles & Shrikes
Photo: (c) 張家瑜, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY
Dendrocitta formosae
Rare visitor: recorded only occasionally in this country
Basic stats
Diet
Insects and other invertebrates, berries, nectar, grain and seeds; also small reptiles, eggs and nestlings
Habitat
Forest, cultivation and human habitation; up to 2,400m in the Himalayas; nest of hair-lined cup in trees, bushes or bamboo
Clutch size
3–4 eggs
Size
36–40cm
Weight
89–121g
The grey treepie, also called the Himalayan treepie, is a medium-sized, long-tailed member of the crow family, 36 to 40cm long and weighing 89 to 121g. It is told from other treepies by its overall grey body. Western forms have a greyish rump and some grey in the tail, while eastern forms have a white rump and a black tail (Wikipedia, general species account).
In the Himalayas it is found up to 2,400m, in forest, cultivation and around houses, mostly feeding in the trees, sometimes joining mixed-species flocks with laughingthrushes. It eats a wide range of insects and other invertebrates, berries, nectar, grain and seeds, and small reptiles, eggs and nestlings. In the Himalayan foothills of Nepal it breeds mainly in May to July. Calls include 'tiddly-aye-kok' and a barking 'braap'.
Quick answers
- What does the Grey Treepie eat?
- Insects and other invertebrates, berries, nectar, grain and seeds; also small reptiles, eggs and nestlings
- What habitat does the Grey Treepie live in?
- Forest, cultivation and human habitation; up to 2,400m in the Himalayas; nest of hair-lined cup in trees, bushes or bamboo
- How many eggs does the Grey Treepie lay?
- 3–4 eggs
- How big is the Grey Treepie?
- 36–40cm
- How much does the Grey Treepie weigh?
- 89–121g