Black-backed Forktail   Enicurus immaculatus

Etymology: 

• Enicurus : Greek word henikos – singular;  ouros -tailed

• Immaculatus: latin word in– without; macula – spot  { Spotless}

Vernacular Name :  Naga: Inruidiba gajeba

Distribution in India: Resident of Himalayan Foothills & North East India

Description: It has a size of 20–25 cm; 25–29 g. It has a long, deeply forked evenly graduated tail with white tips, outer feathers are entirely white. It has a black head and throat, white mask from forehead to eyes, black back and wings, broad white wing patch and small flash at base of primaries. It has a white underside; with black bill, pinkish legs. Both the sexes are similar. The juvenile is brownish-black above, no white mask, shorter tail, dark scaling on breast.

 

Habitat: It is found in sides and centres of rocky hill streams and fast-flowing rivers with uncovered rock shoals, muddy margins and waterfalls in dense damp forest, including teak forest. It is found from lowlands to 1450 m

Food habits: It eats insects. The foraging techniques involving picking prey from shoals or mud, from rocks and from riparian ground or vegetation.

Breeding habits: They breed  in Mar–May in Himalayas. The nest is a compact, solid cup with outer covering of moss, lined with leaf skeletons, placed in hollow in bank, under rocks or amid tree roots. They lay a clutch of 3 eggs.