Alternative name: Laos Dusky Babbler
- Stachyris herberti
Identification
16cm. A very distinctive Stachyris-babbler:
- Sooty-brown plumage with paler throat
- Brown iris with pale bluish-grey orbital ring
- Bill pale blue-grey to pinkish-grey
Sexes similar, juveniles more uniformly brownish and without eyering.
Distribution
Central Laos and central Vietnam.
Restricted-range species, fairly common.
Taxonomy
Monotypic.
Sometimes placed in its own genus Nigravis. Closely related to Nonggang Babbler.
Habitat
Moist lowland forests on limestone in vicinity of steep cliffs, also on fairly open vegetated karst.
Behaviour
Feeds on small invertebrates.
Forages usually in single-species parties of 4 to 20 birds, joins sometimes bird-waves. Moves over surface of karst limestone, climbing vertically on rock faces.
Breeding season in March and May in Laos. One reported nest was placed on ledge in hollow in tree-enclosed karst. No further information.
Resident species.
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
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Sooty Babbler. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 12 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Sooty_Babbler
