Alternative names: David's Parrotbill; David's Crowtit
- Neosuthora davidiana
Neosuthora davidianus
Paradoxornis davidianus
Identification
9.5 - 10cm (3¾-4 in). A small parrotbill with a very short tail, recalling a Munia in jizz.
- Pale, very deep-based bill
- Rufous or rufous-chestnut head (with dark lores )
- Upperparts greyish and brown
- Black centre of throat with broad greyish-white tip on lower throat
- Greyish-white upper breast, grading to greyish-buff in flanks
- Rich buff lower flanks and vent
Sexes similar, juveniles undescribed.
Distribution
Found in east China (Fujian and Zhejiang), Burma, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam.
Locally common in certain areas, but scarce in others.
Taxonomy
This species was formerly placed in the genus Paradoxornis.
Subspecies
Three subspecies accepted[1]:
- N. d. thompsoni in east Burma, northwest and north Laos, extreme northwest Vietnam and north Thailand
- N. d. tonkinensis in northeast and nortcentral Laos and adjacent northcentral Vietnam
- N. d. davidiana in east China (Zhejiang and Fujian)
Habitat
Bamboo, edge of broadleaf evergreen forest and grass. At 110 - 1250m in China, 50 - 1200m in southeast Asia.
Behaviour
Diet
Feeds on small larvae and vegetable matter.
Usually seen in hyperactive, fast-moving groups, often in bird waves with other species like Grey-cheeked Fulvetta.
Breeding
Breeding season from March to April in Vietnam. The nest is a cup-shaped structure made of green moss, grasses and slender bamboo leaves. It's placed around 1m above the ground in dwarf bamboo. No other information.
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. 2008. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 13: Penduline-tits to Shrikes. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553453
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Short-tailed Parrotbill. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 31 August 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Short-tailed_Parrotbill