IUCN RED LIST
Established in 1964, The IUCN Red List is a critical indicator of the health of the world’s biodiversity. Species are classified by the IUCN Red List into nine groups, through criteria such as rate of decline, population size and area of geographic distribution as:
- Extinct (EX) – This species is no longer extant
- Extinct in the wild (EW) – Survives only in captivity, or through cultivation often outside native range
- Critically endangered (CR) – In an extremely critical state
- Endangered (EN) – Very high risk of extinction in the wild
- Vulnerable (VU) – At high risk of unnatural (human-caused) extinction
- Near Threatened (NT) – Close to being endangered in the near future
- Least Concern (LC) – Widespread and abundant in the wild
- Data Deficient (DD) – Inadequate information to assess extinction risk
- Not Evaluated (NE) – Has not yet been assessed
The butterfly has striking black wings marked with bright green spots and patterns. The hindwings possess small tail-like extensions typical of swallowtail butterflies. The underside is paler with similar green markings. Its colourful appearance provides excellent camouflage among foliage and dappled sunlight.
The Tailed Jay is a highly active, fast-flying butterfly known for its restless behaviour. It rarely settles for long and continuously moves while feeding. It is commonly seen visiting flowers, mud-puddling near damp soil, and flying rapidly through forest paths and gardens.
The Tailed Jay is generally considered a non-migratory species, although local seasonal movements may occur in response to rainfall, flowering seasons, and availability of host plants.
Mating usually occurs during warmer months and monsoon seasons when vegetation is abundant. Females lay single eggs on the young leaves of host plants, especially species belonging to the Annonaceae family. The caterpillars are solitary feeders and later form a chrysalis attached to stems or leaves.
Rapid and erratic flight helps escape predators. Bright green wing spots provide camouflage among leaves . Tail-like hindwing extensions may divert predator attacks away from vital body parts. Strong sensory abilities assist in locating nectar and host plants efficiently.
Adult Tailed Jays feed mainly on nectar from flowering plants such as lantana, ixora, jasmine, and clerodendrum. They are also attracted to moist soil, animal droppings, and decaying organic matter for minerals. Caterpillars feed primarily on leaves of custard apple relatives.
The Tailed Jay is commonly found in tropical and subtropical forests, gardens, parks, orchards, mangroves, scrublands, and urban green spaces. It prefers moist habitats with flowering plants and larval host plants.
