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Black-backed Sibia - BirdForum Opus

Alternative names: Black-capped Sibia; Dark-backed Sibia

Heterophasia melanoleuca

Identification

With 21 -23cm a slender, narrow-billed and long-tailed Babbler:

  • Dark brown above
  • Black head
  • White below

Some subspecies (which are placed in Black-headed Sibia by some authorities) have grey to greyish-brown upper mantle.

Distribution

Found in the mountains of Myanmar, NW and W Thailand and NW Laos. Depending on the taxonomic boundary with Black-headed Sibia, also found in S Laos and Vietnam.
Generally common in its range.1

Taxonomy

This species was long time considered to be conspecific with Black-headed Sibia.
Two to three subspecies recognized:

This species is also placed in the genus Malacias and the scientific name spelled Malacias melanoleucus.

Habitat

Broadleaf evergreen forest between 1000m and 2565m.1

Behaviour

Diet

Feeds on insects, grubs, berries and also nectar. Arboreal, usually in the treetops.
Mostly seen in pairs or small groups.

Breeding

Breeding season from February to June. The nest is a cup made of moss, pine needles, grasses and leaves. It's placed on small outer branches of a tree, 2.5 to 7.5 m above the ground. Lays 1 - 3 eggs.
Resident species.1

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
  2. Clements, JF. 2011. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to August 2011. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist

Recommended Citation

External Links

Search the Gallery using the scientific name:

Search the Gallery Using the common name Dark-backed Sibia:

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