White-bellied Erpornis

Photo by Nolan.Hwang
Zhongpu, Chiayi, Taiwan, May 2010

Alternative name: White-bellied Yuhina

Erpornis zantholeuca

Identification

With 11 - 13cm a small passerine, yuhina-like, but most probably a Vireo:

• Yellowish-green above
• Greyish-white below
• Yellow vent
• Slender bill with tip slightly bend over
• Crown with elongated feathers

Sexes are similar, juveniles duller than adults. The geographical variation is small, the subspecies differ slightly in tone.

Distribution

Found in SE-Asia from the Himalayas (Nepal, Bhutan, India) east to S China (including Hong Kong and Taiwan), Myanmar, Thailand and Indochina. Also south to the Malay Peninsula, in NW Sumatra and Borneo.²
Common in parts of its range.²

Taxonomy

Clements³ accepts 8 subspecies:

• E. z. zantholeuca in the Himalayas over N Myanmar to S China and in W Thailand.
• E. z. tyrannula south of zantholeuca in Thailand, Indochina and S China
• E. z. griseiloris in SE China and Taiwan
• E. z. sordida in E Thailand and S Indochina
• E. z. canescens in SE Thailand and W Cambodia
• E. z. interposita on the Malay Peninsula
• E. z. saani on Sumatra
• E. z. brunnescens on Borneo

Other authorities regard griseiloris synonym with tyrannula and merge sordida and interposita with the nominate zantholeuca.²

Has also been placed in Stachyris and Yuhina but recent studies suggest that this species is certainly not a Yuhina and not even a Babbler. It is now placed with the New World Vireos Vireonidae.^{1, 2}

Habitat

Found in different types of forest as broadleaf evergreen forest, secondary growth, light deciduous forest, mixed forest, moss forest, bamboo and also in upland heath and overgrown rubber plantations. Up to 3650 m in Bhutan.

Behaviour

Feeds on insects and their larvae, particulary on small caterpillars. Takes also berries, figs, flower nectar and occasionally seeds.
Usually found singly, sometimes in pairs or small groups. Less greagrious than other Yuhinas. Often in mixed flocks with other species (Warblers or small Babblers). Often seen hanging upside-down like a tit.
Breeding season differs througout range, eg. from March to June in the Himalayas. The nest is a small craddle mad of grass stems, moss and dry leaves, placed 0.5 to 2m above the ground in a tree, bamboo or shrub. Lays 2 to 3 eggs.
Resident species with small local seasonal movements.²

References

1. Cibois, Alice, Mikhail V. Kalyakin, Han Lian-Xian, and Eric Pasquet. 2002. "Molecular phylogenetics of babblers (Timaliidae): revaluation of the genera Yuhina and Stachyris." Journal of Avian Biology. 33 (4): 380-90.
2. del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. and Christie, D.A. eds. 2007. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 12. Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 84-96553-42-6
3. Clements6thAug11

External Links

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