The Seychelles Magpie-robin is native to the islands of the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean. It can be distinguished from the Oriental Magpie-robin by its fully black underparts. Males and females have similar plumage but the males are more glossy blue-black and the females more brown-black. The few populations are endangered through loss of habitat and limited genetic diversity.

The Oriental Magpie-robin is native to the Indian subcontinent and part of Southeast Asia. There are several subspecies over its range. It can be distinguished from the Pied Bush Chat by often holding its much longer tail upright. It also has a white shoulder patch and white belly, rump and undertail.

Males are darker than females, which can be quite pale in some subspecies. Juveniles' dark throats have a mottled or scaly appearance.