Alternative names: White-headed Babbler; White-headed Shrike-Babbler; Indian White-hooded Babbler
- Gampsorhynchus rufulus
Identification
23 - 24cm (9-9½ in). A longish-tailed buff-brown babbler:
- White head and breast in nominate subspecies.
- Sandy brown upperparts, upperwing slightly darker
- Buff flanks and belly
Sexes similar. Juveniles have a rufous head.
Distribution
Found from southeast Nepal east over Bhutan to northeast India, southeast Bangladesh, Burma and adjacent south China (Yunnan).
Fairly common in parts of its range. Only two records from Nepal.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.
It has been considered conspecific with Collared Babbler in the past.
Habitat
Broadleaf evergreen and secondary forest. Also scrub, bushes and long grass at forest edge. Prefers bamboo.
Up to 1200m in India.
Behaviour
Diet
Feeds on invertebrates.
Usually seen in noisy groups of up to 20 birds. Often together with other species in mixed flocks, particulary with Red-billed Scimitar-Babbler and Rufous-headed Parrotbill. Not shy.
Breeding
Breeding season from April to August (nominate race). The nest is a filmsy saucer made of dead leaves, small twigs, roots, lichen and moss. It's placed around 2m above the ground in a bush. Lays 3 - 4 eggs.
Movements
Resident species.
Gallery
Click on photo for larger image
Photo by James Eaton
Assam, India, April 2012
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. 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
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) White-hooded Babbler. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 6 October 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/White-hooded_Babbler