Tailed Jay

Description:

The sexes are similar in pattern, but females have longer tails. The forewing is pointed and the outer margin is slightly serrated. The outer margin of the hindwing is serrated, with a distinct tornal tail. It is dark brown with green patches dispersed throughout. The patches are brighter towards the forewing base and turn yellowish towards the outer margin of the hindwing. Its underside is pale brown and clouded with pale purplish tinged scales. The green patches are not prominent. It is common throughout the country in sparsely wooded areas, and wet habitats are not essential. It is quite unusual in forests but can be found abundantly in home gardens where its larval food plants are grown for fruits. Lately, its numbers in the wet zone marshes have increased due to the propagation of the invasive alien plant species Annona glabra.

Habitat:

My backyard.

Notes:

I have never seen this one perching on a leaf so peacefully. They usually fly high in the sky and rarely lower themselves. I was lucky to see it resting on an eye-level tree...