The doel (magpie robin) is the national bird of Bangladesh. It is famous for its lovable look and melodious whistle and is found all over the place especially in rural Bangladesh. One of the most familiar birds about towns and villages. Shy, silent and unobtrusive during non-breeding season, then lurking in shrubbery and only uttering plaintive swee-ee and harsh chur-r. Conspicuous all through breeding season when male sings lustily from favorite tree-top or post, chiefly early mornings and late afternoons. Song punctuated by upward jerks of white fringed tail. Also very good mimic of other birds' calls. Breeding territories jealously guarded, and intruding males defied with puffing- out, strutting and much show of pugnacity.
The Magpie Robin, or the doel as it is often referred to, is a extremely shy bird that merely grows to approximately nineteen centimeters from head to tail. It is mostly known for its melodious call, and also for being one of the various shy bird species. In Bangladesh Magpie Robins are therefore only found in the rural areas where it is quieter and they have the liberty to breed without being disturbed by human interference. They are distinctive in their coloring, as the males have black heads, backs wings and tail with white below parts and a slight white plumage on their wings. The females look similar to the males, with the distinction being that the females are grayer, with grayish-white under parts. They are also dissimilar in the fact that they keep their tails up in the air, which moves while they sing.
They make their nests in brushes and shrubs, and quieter regions are more suitable for them. They are insect eaters and can either be seen flying low to the ground or jumping through the forest brush in search of food among the fallen leaves. When visiting the outlying areas of Bangladesh, be sure to keep an eye out for these petite, yet significant birds, as seeing one of the country’s national emblems will be a moment to remember.
