# Rufous-tailed shama

> The rufous-tailed shama (Copsychus pyrropygus), Aceh's ceumpala kuneng, is a forest songbird of Sumatra and Borneo and Aceh's identity animal.

Source: https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/rufous-tailed-shama/ · Updated 1 October 2026 · English · Bahasa Indonesia: https://panduanhewan.org/id/spesies/kucica-ekor-kuning/
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**Review status:** Compiled and checked against the listed sources; not yet reviewed by a specialist.

## Quick answer

The rufous-tailed shama (*Copsychus pyrropygus*) is a bird in the family Muscicapidae. Range in Indonesia: Sumatra (including Aceh) and Borneo (Kalimantan). Diet: invertebrates, mainly insects gleaned from trees; a carnivore. IUCN Red List status: Near Threatened.

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | *Copsychus pyrropygus* |
| Indonesian name | Kucica ekor-kuning |
| Group | Birds |
| Family | Muscicapidae |
| Range in Indonesia | Sumatra (including Aceh) and Borneo (Kalimantan) |
| Linked habitats | [Tropical Rainforests](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/tropical-rainforest/) |
| Diet | Invertebrates, mainly insects gleaned from trees |
| Range in Indonesia | Lowland forest of Sumatra and Kalimantan |
| Key feature | Rufous-orange rump and tail, white eyebrow in males |
| Provincial identity animal | Aceh province |
| Other names | Ceumpala kuneng, kucica ekor-kuning; Trichixos pyrropygus |
| IUCN status | Near Threatened · [BirdLife International DataZone — Rufous-tailed Shama (Copsychus pyrropygus), the IUCN Red List authority for birds](https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/rufous-tailed-shama-copsychus-pyrropygus) |
| Diet type | Carnivore (meat-eater) — insects and other invertebrates gleaned from trees (insectivore) · [Oiseaux.net (AVONET/Birds of the World traits)](https://www.oiseaux.net/birds/rufous-tailed.shama.html) |
| Reproduction | Laying eggs (oviparous) · [Vigie-Nature École (MNHN)](https://www.vigienature-ecole.fr/en/node/352) |
| Active | Diurnal (active by day) · [Oiseaux.net (AVONET/Birds of the World traits)](https://www.oiseaux.net/birds/rufous-tailed.shama.html) |

## What is the rufous-tailed shama?

The rufous-tailed shama (Copsychus pyrropygus) is a 20–22 cm songbird of the family Muscicapidae that lives in the forests of Sumatra and Borneo. In Aceh it is called ceumpala kuneng. Indonesia.go.id, the government information portal, says it was made Aceh's identity animal and was a favourite bird of Sultan Iskandar Muda (1607–1636).

It was once placed in its own genus, as Trichixos pyrropygus. According to BirdLife International, genetic data support moving it to Copsychus, the genus of the white-rumped shama and oriental magpie-robin. A DNA study by Lim and colleagues (2010) found it closest to the magpie-robins. BirdLife assesses it as Near Threatened.

Evidence: [Indonesia.go.id — Ceumpala Kuneng Kebanggaan Aceh (2020, Wayback Machine copy)](https://web.archive.org/web/20250825204647/https://indonesia.go.id/kategori/seni/2077/ceumpala-kuneng-kebanggaan-aceh) · [BirdLife DataZone — Rufous-tailed Shama Copsychus pyrropygus species factsheet](https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/rufous-tailed-shama-copsychus-pyrropygus) · [Journal of Biogeography (LSU Digital Commons) — Lim et al. (2010), Phylogeny of magpie-robins and shamas (Aves: Turdidae: Copsychus and Trichixos)](https://repository.lsu.edu/agrnr_pubs/843/)

## Where does the rufous-tailed shama live?

In Indonesia, the rufous-tailed shama lives in the lowland forests of Sumatra and Kalimantan. According to BirdLife International, its range covers peninsular Thailand, Sabah, Sarawak, Peninsular Malaysia, Brunei, Sumatra and Kalimantan. In Aceh, Indonesia.go.id records it in Gunung Leuser National Park.

It lives in lowland forest, including peat swamp and mixed dipterocarp forest, and in hill-slope evergreen forest up to 1,200 m. It is commoner in primary forest, though it can survive in logged forest. Lim and colleagues (2010) describe it as a primary-forest specialist and a poor disperser, restricted to mature forest.

Evidence: [BirdLife DataZone — Rufous-tailed Shama Copsychus pyrropygus species factsheet](https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/rufous-tailed-shama-copsychus-pyrropygus) · [Journal of Biogeography (LSU Digital Commons) — Lim et al. (2010), Phylogeny of magpie-robins and shamas (Aves: Turdidae: Copsychus and Trichixos)](https://repository.lsu.edu/agrnr_pubs/843/) · [Indonesia.go.id — Ceumpala Kuneng Kebanggaan Aceh (2020, Wayback Machine copy)](https://web.archive.org/web/20250825204647/https://indonesia.go.id/kategori/seni/2077/ceumpala-kuneng-kebanggaan-aceh)

## What does the rufous-tailed shama eat?

The rufous-tailed shama eats invertebrates, mainly insects. The bird trait databases cited by Oiseaux.net (Pigot et al. 2020; Tobias et al. 2021) classify it as an invertebrate eater that gleans prey from trees.

Field studies of this species' diet are scarce, so little is known about its exact prey. Oiseaux.net gives its weight as about 40.9 grams. Indonesia.go.id says it favours dense, moist forest, including swamp forest, and BirdLife notes it is commoner in primary forest. Losing lowland forest therefore also means losing the places where this bird finds its food.

Evidence: [Oiseaux.net — Rufous-tailed Shama, Copsychus pyrropygus](https://www.oiseaux.net/birds/rufous-tailed.shama.html) · [BirdLife DataZone — Rufous-tailed Shama Copsychus pyrropygus species factsheet](https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/rufous-tailed-shama-copsychus-pyrropygus) · [Indonesia.go.id — Ceumpala Kuneng Kebanggaan Aceh (2020, Wayback Machine copy)](https://web.archive.org/web/20250825204647/https://indonesia.go.id/kategori/seni/2077/ceumpala-kuneng-kebanggaan-aceh)

## How is the rufous-tailed shama different from the white-rumped shama?

The rufous-tailed shama looks like the white-rumped shama (Copsychus malabaricus), but its tail is orange-yellow rather than black and white. According to Indonesia.go.id, the male has a white eyebrow, a slim black bill, and reddish-yellow breast, belly, back and tail base. The female is browner and lacks the white eyebrow.

The two also belong to different lineages. Lim and colleagues (2010) showed that the rufous-tailed shama is closer to the magpie-robins than to the white-rumped shama. Its song is a long series of sweet whistles, single and double notes rising and falling irregularly. BirdLife records breeding between February and June.

Evidence: [Indonesia.go.id — Ceumpala Kuneng Kebanggaan Aceh (2020, Wayback Machine copy)](https://web.archive.org/web/20250825204647/https://indonesia.go.id/kategori/seni/2077/ceumpala-kuneng-kebanggaan-aceh) · [Journal of Biogeography (LSU Digital Commons) — Lim et al. (2010), Phylogeny of magpie-robins and shamas (Aves: Turdidae: Copsychus and Trichixos)](https://repository.lsu.edu/agrnr_pubs/843/) · [BirdLife DataZone — Rufous-tailed Shama Copsychus pyrropygus species factsheet](https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/rufous-tailed-shama-copsychus-pyrropygus)

## Why is the rufous-tailed shama threatened?

The rufous-tailed shama is threatened by the rapid loss of Sundaic lowland forest and by trapping for the songbird trade. BirdLife International says forest loss has been extremely fast, driven partly by illegal logging, land conversion and the felling of valuable timber, including inside protected areas.

BirdLife also notes that the bird is trapped for the songbird trade, at least locally and especially in Indonesia. Indonesia.go.id reports that in Gunung Leuser National Park its numbers keep falling because of hunting and illegal logging, and that there is no reliable count of how many remain. BirdLife therefore assesses it as Near Threatened.

Evidence: [BirdLife DataZone — Rufous-tailed Shama Copsychus pyrropygus species factsheet](https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/rufous-tailed-shama-copsychus-pyrropygus) · [Indonesia.go.id — Ceumpala Kuneng Kebanggaan Aceh (2020, Wayback Machine copy)](https://web.archive.org/web/20250825204647/https://indonesia.go.id/kategori/seni/2077/ceumpala-kuneng-kebanggaan-aceh)

## How can the rufous-tailed shama be protected?

The most important ways to protect the rufous-tailed shama are to keep lowland forest standing and never buy wild-caught birds. As an insect eater of primary forest, it cannot survive once its forest is gone, however many birds are kept in cages.

BirdLife International recommends protecting lowland forest within its range, enforcing bans on encroachment and logging in protected areas, and properly policing songbird markets. If you see wild-caught birds for sale, report it to the local conservation agency (BKSDA). As Aceh's identity animal, listed on the West Sumatra provincial government's website, it deserves to be known by children as a forest bird, not a cage bird.

Evidence: [BirdLife DataZone — Rufous-tailed Shama Copsychus pyrropygus species factsheet](https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/rufous-tailed-shama-copsychus-pyrropygus) · [Pemerintah Provinsi Sumatera Barat (Humas, 2017) — Fauna Sekaligus Maskot Prov. Sumbar](https://sumbarprov.go.id/home/news/11128-fauna-sekaligus-maskot-prov-sumbar)

## Scientific classification of the Rufous-tailed shama

| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Muscicapidae |
| Genus | *Copsychus* |
| Species | *Copsychus pyrropygus* |

Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## Common questions about the rufous-tailed shama

### What is the scientific name of the rufous-tailed shama?

The scientific name of the rufous-tailed shama is *Copsychus pyrropygus*, in the family Muscicapidae. In Indonesian it is called Kucica ekor-kuning.

### What kind of animal is the rufous-tailed shama?

The rufous-tailed shama is a bird in the family Muscicapidae. By diet it is a carnivore (meat-eater): a insects and other invertebrates gleaned from trees (insectivore).

### Where does the rufous-tailed shama live in Indonesia?

In Indonesia, this guide records the rufous-tailed shama in: Sumatra (including Aceh) and Borneo (Kalimantan).

Source-supported habitats: [Tropical Rainforests](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/tropical-rainforest/).

### What does the rufous-tailed shama eat?

Diet of the rufous-tailed shama: invertebrates, mainly insects gleaned from trees. That makes it a carnivore (meat-eater). Source: [Oiseaux.net (AVONET/Birds of the World traits)](https://www.oiseaux.net/birds/rufous-tailed.shama.html).

### How does the rufous-tailed shama reproduce?

The rufous-tailed shama reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). Source: [Vigie-Nature École (MNHN)](https://www.vigienature-ecole.fr/en/node/352).

### Is the rufous-tailed shama nocturnal?

No. The rufous-tailed shama is diurnal (active by day). Source: [Oiseaux.net (AVONET/Birds of the World traits)](https://www.oiseaux.net/birds/rufous-tailed.shama.html).

See also [the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/nocturnal-and-diurnal-animals/).

### What are the main features of the rufous-tailed shama?

Key features of the rufous-tailed shama, from this guide’s sources: Key feature: rufous-orange rump and tail, white eyebrow in males.

### What is the scientific classification of the rufous-tailed shama?

Scientific classification of the rufous-tailed shama: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Aves, order Passeriformes, family Muscicapidae, genus *Copsychus*, species *Copsychus pyrropygus*.

Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c), adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.

### Is the rufous-tailed shama endangered?

Not yet in a threatened category, but close to one. The global conservation status of the rufous-tailed shama: Near Threatened. In the IUCN system, this category means it is close to qualifying, or likely to qualify, for a threatened category in the near future. Source: [BirdLife International DataZone — Rufous-tailed Shama (Copsychus pyrropygus), the IUCN Red List authority for birds](https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/rufous-tailed-shama-copsychus-pyrropygus).

This global category is separate from legal protection in Indonesia. To check whether the rufous-tailed shama is a protected species, consult the current national list of [protected species](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/protected/) or contact the local [BKSDA](https://panduanhewan.org/en/bksda-offices/) (natural resources conservation office).

## Sources & references

1. [BirdLife DataZone — Rufous-tailed Shama Copsychus pyrropygus species factsheet](https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/rufous-tailed-shama-copsychus-pyrropygus)
2. [Journal of Biogeography (LSU Digital Commons) — Lim et al. (2010), Phylogeny of magpie-robins and shamas (Aves: Turdidae: Copsychus and Trichixos)](https://repository.lsu.edu/agrnr_pubs/843/)
3. [Oiseaux.net — Rufous-tailed Shama, Copsychus pyrropygus](https://www.oiseaux.net/birds/rufous-tailed.shama.html)
4. [Indonesia.go.id — Ceumpala Kuneng Kebanggaan Aceh (2020, Wayback Machine copy)](https://web.archive.org/web/20250825204647/https://indonesia.go.id/kategori/seni/2077/ceumpala-kuneng-kebanggaan-aceh)
5. [Pemerintah Provinsi Sumatera Barat (Humas, 2017) — Fauna Sekaligus Maskot Prov. Sumbar](https://sumbarprov.go.id/home/news/11128-fauna-sekaligus-maskot-prov-sumbar)
6. [Vigie-Nature École (MNHN)](https://www.vigienature-ecole.fr/en/node/352)
7. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## Keep exploring

- [Oriental magpie-robin](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/oriental-magpie-robin/)
- [White-rumped shama](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/white-rumped-shama/)
- [Black-capped lory](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/black-capped-lory/)
- [Blue-crowned hanging parrot](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/blue-crowned-hanging-parrot/)
- [Tropical Rainforests](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/tropical-rainforest/)

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Cite: PanduanHewan. (2026). Rufous-tailed shama. PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/rufous-tailed-shama/