Ebird describes it as "A medium-sized, long-tailed bird of lowland forest and scrub on Palawan and neighboring islands. Almost entirely black with a glossy purplish sheen, white outer tail feathers, and white on the lower belly and under the base of the tail. There are no other species of similar shape and size on Palawan. Heard more often than seen. Song is a pleasant, medium-pitched warbled melody."[2]
The species is sometimes placed in the genus Kittacincla, and is the sister species to the black shama of Cebu.[3]
Ecology and behavior
Not much is known about its diet but it is presumed to be similar to most shamas which are insectivores. Usually seen in pairs foraging close to the forest floor or thickets with a lot of tangled vines.
Breeding season is not well known. Birds with enlarged gonads collected in June. A fledgling has been recorded in August.[4]
Habitat and conservation status
Its habitat is primary lowland forest, second growth and thick scrub.
^Collar, N. (2018). White-vented Shama (Kittacincla nigra). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/58488 on 22 December 2018).
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