1. Must be active & alert.
2. Shy of human but unfearing of other shamas.
3. Loud & clear voice as this will help threaten/intimidate other birds.
4. Long neck, wings and body with proportionately big head.
5. Long-legged and stand up-right just like a rooster in the company of his hens when threatened by another rooster .... with body held tight and wings' tips almost perpendicular to the ground and head held high.
6. Thin-feathered.
7. Charcoal black and roasted chest nut brown as far as the feather colours are concerned.

The above are some general guidelines.
Others with their suggestions please add to this list.