Common Iora

The common iora (Aegithina tiphia) is a small passerine bird found across the tropical Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, with populations showing plumage variations, some of which are designated as subspecies. A species found in scrub and forest, it is easily detected from its loud whistles and the bright colours. During the breeding season, males display by fluffing up their feathers and spiral in the air appearing like a green, black, yellow and white ball.

Scientific Name : Aegithina Tiphia

Family : Aegithinidae

Order : Passeriformes

Class : Aves

Type : Ioras

Conservation Status : Least concern (LC)

Size : 14 cm

Compare Size : House Sparrow -

Wingspan : NA

Weight : 12 - 17 g

Migratory : Resident

Sex Alike : No

Other Names :

Hindi : शाऊबीगी

Marathi : सुभग, कमका बोदल

Habitat:
scrub and forest

Breeding:
mainly after the monsoons

Feeding:
insects


Identification Features

Male
Culmen straight
Upperparts greenish or black
Wing black with white bars
Tail black
Underparts bright-yellow
Female
Wing greenish with white bars
Tail olive
Underparts bright-yellow
Note :
overall yellow-green plumage
septentrionalis sub-species
Note :
septentrionalis sub-species in Northwestern Region is brighter yellow than others
humei sub-species
Note :
in the northern plains of India humei males in breeding plumage have a black cap and olive on the upper mantle
multicolor sub-species
Note :
In southwestern India multicolor has the breeding males with a jet black cap and mantle
intermediate between multicolor and humei sub-species
Note :
In southern India (except southwestern) are intermediate between multicolor and humei with more grey-green on the rump

Gallery

SIGHTINGS

Date Location
2018-12-09 09 Dec 2018 Harihareshwar Beach, Raigad, Maharashtra
2021-12-29 29 Dec 2021 Neral - Matheran Road, Raigad, Maharashtra
2024-05-01 01 May 2024 Diveagar, Maharashtra