- Heterophasia gracilis
Identification
With 22.5 to 24.5 cm a slender, long-tailed Babbler, patterned much like Rufous Sibia (but without rufous)1:
- Grey to brownish-grey above
- Blackish cap (but no crest)
- White below with warm buff-tinged vent
Juveniles have duller upperparts and are generally paler and browner.
Distribution
Very locally in the NE Indian Hill states (south of Brahmaputra), Myanmar and S China (W Yunnan).
Restricted-range species but common in parts of its range (eg. Chin Hills or Assam).1
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species. Described subspecies dorsalis from Myanmar usually not accepted.1, 2
May form a superspecies with Rufous Sibia.
Some authorities have placed this species in the genus Malacias.1
Habitat
Broadleaf evergreen and deciduous forest, also sometimes pine forest, secondary forest and degraded forest. Found between 900m and 2800m.1
Behaviour
Resident species with some unconfirmed altitudinal movement.1
Outside the breeding season often in small groups.
Diet
Feeds on insects, but takes also berries, small fruits and seeds. Forages in the canopy and among trunks, occasionally in the undergrowth.
Breeding
Breeding season from April to August. The nest is a deep cup, made of grasses, moss, roots, leaves and other material. It's placed in the crown of a tree or a rhododendron, up to 6m above the ground. Lays 2 - 4 eggs.
References
- 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
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2014. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.9., with updates to August 2014. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Grey Sibia. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 2 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Grey_Sibia