From Opus

Photo by Steve G
Sri Lanka

Alternative names: Ceylon Babbler; Ceylon Rufous Babbler

Turdoides rufescens

[edit] Identification

With 25 cm a medium-sized Turdoides-babbler:

• Entirely rufous-chestnut
• Bright orange bill and legs
• Light grey wash on unstreaked crown and nape
• Pale eye and lores

May be confused with sympatric Ashy-headed Laughingthrush, but note bill and leg colour.

[edit] Distribution

Endemic to southwest Sri Lanka. Restricted-range species, common in suitable habitat. Resident.

[edit] Taxonomy

In the past, it was considered to be a race of Jungle Babbler and may form a superspecies with it.
Monotypic.

[edit] Habitat

Its habitat is rainforest and deep jungle. Usually found in primary forest, only occasionally in secondary forest. Recorded up to 2100m.

[edit] Behaviour

Its diet includes insects, but also jungle berries. Forages in lower storeys of trees and in canopy. Noisy and greagrious, usually in groups of 6 to 12 birds, sometimes much more. Also in mixed feeding flocks. Breeding season from March to May. It builds its nest in a tree, concealed in dense masses of foliage. 2-3 deep greenish blue eggs are laid.

[edit] References

1. 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

1. Rasmussen, PC and JC Anderton. 2005. Birds of South Asia: The Ripley Guide. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8487334672

• List of references

[edit] External Links