- 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
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:
- G. t. torquatus in south Burma, Thailand, south China (east Yunnan), Laos and central and south Vietnam
- G. t. luciae in south China (southeast Yunnan), Laos and north Vietnam
- G. t. saturatior in extreme south Thailand and peninsular Malaysia
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
- 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/
- 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
- Rasmussen, PC and JC Anderton. 2005. Birds of South Asia: The Ripley Guide. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8487334672
- Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved November 2016)
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Collared Babbler. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 21 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Collared_Babbler
