Alternative name: Lesser Scimitar Babbler
- Pomatorhinus musicus
Identification
16 - 21cm. A small Scimitar-Babbler.
- Heavy rufous to greyish streaks on lower throat and breast grading into blackish flanks are diagnostic
- Broad black mask and lores
- White supercilium
- Rufous chestnut collar
- Black eye
- Brown crown
- Dark grey brown upperparst
- White throat and upper breast
Sexes similar.
Distribution
Endemic to Taiwan.
Locally common in its range.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.
It was formerly considered conspecific with Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler.
Habitat
Dense scrub on hillsides, dense undergrowth in forest, open bamboo-jungle, rhododendron shrubs, brambles and bracken. Found up to 2300m in Taiwan.
Behaviour
Feeds on insects, larvae and grubs. Takes also seeds and berries.
A shy bird, usually seen in pairs, outside breeding season also in small groups of up to 6 birds, often together with other species. Forages near the ground.
Breeding season April to June. It builds a ball shaped nest of grass and other plants, which is placed on the ground or sometimes low in a tree. Lays 2 - 5 eggs.
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
- Rasmussen, PC and JC Anderton. 2005. Birds of South Asia: The Ripley Guide. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8487334672
- Clements, JF. 2010. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2010. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/Clements%206.5.xls/view
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Taiwan Scimitar Babbler. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 2 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Taiwan_Scimitar_Babbler
