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Collared Babbler - BirdForum Opus

Adult
Photo by robby thai
Phu Suan Sai National Park, Thailand, November 2016
Gampsorhynchus torquatus

Identification

23 - 24cm (9-9½ in). A longish-tailed buff-brown babbler:

  • White face, forehead and crown. The white stops at nape and is surrounded by a dark brown collar, usually best seen on the side. Some birds have brownish hindcrowns and a very prominent dark collar (luciae).
  • Sandy brown upperparts, upperwing slightly darker
  • Buff flanks and belly
Juvenile
Photo by Don Gato
Mae Sot, Thailand, September 2007

Sexes similar. Juveniles have a rufous head.

Distribution

Found from Burma to south China (Yunnan), Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and peninsular Malaysia.
Fairly common in parts of its range.

Taxonomy

Has been considered conspecific with White-hooded Babbler.

Subspecies

Two[1] or three subspecies recognized:

Subspecies luciae is not recognised by all authorities[4]

Habitat

Broadleaf evergreen and secondary forest. Also scrub, bushes and long grass at forest edge. Prefers bamboo.
Found at 500 - 1800m in Vietnam.

Behaviour

Diet

Feeds on invertebrates.
Usually seen in noisy groups of up to 20 birds. Often together with other species in mixed flocks, particulary with Red-billed Scimitar-Babbler and Rufous-headed Parrotbill. Not shy.

Breeding

The nest is a filmsy saucer made of dead leaves, small twigs, roots, lichen and moss. It's placed around 2m above the ground in a bush. Lays 3 - 4 eggs.

Movements

Resident species.

References

  1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2016. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2016, with updates to August 2016. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
  2. Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2007. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 12: Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553422
  3. Rasmussen, PC and JC Anderton. 2005. Birds of South Asia: The Ripley Guide. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8487334672
  4. Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved November 2016)

Recommended Citation

External Links

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