- Psittiparus ruficeps
Identification
19 - 19.5cm. A large parrotbill with a long bill.
- Round, bright rufous head
- Dark bluish orbital skin around eye
- Plain olive-brown above with rufescent wings
- White below
Sexes similar. Juveniles have paler crown and head-sides and are more rufescent-brown above.
Similar species
Similar to Black-browed Parrotbill, but note missing black brow, rounder head and larger, longer bill. Spot-breasted Parrotbill has black ear-coverts, juvenile White-hooded Babbler a much thinner bill.
Distribution
From northeast India (from Sikkim east) to Bhutan and adjacent Tibet
Generally uncommon in its range.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.
It was formerly considered conspecific with Rufous-headed Parrotbill.
Habitat
Bamboo in or near broadleaf evergreen forest and forest edge. Found at 500 - 1930m.
Behaviour
Feeds on insects and seeds, takes also berries.
Usually seen in pairs or small groups of 4 to 6 birds, often with White-hooded Babbler and Collared Babbler in bird waves.
Breeding season from April to October in India. The nest is a compact cup made of grass strips and cobwebs. It's placed 1 - 2m above the ground in a sapling, among reeds or bamboo. Lays 2 - 4 eggs.
Resident species.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2013. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.8., with updates to August 2013. 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
- Rasmussen, PC and JC Anderton. 2005. Birds of South Asia: The Ripley Guide. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8487334672
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) White-breasted Parrotbill. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 6 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/White-breasted_Parrotbill
