Alternative names: White-eared Babbler; White-eared Tree-Babbler
- Stachyris leucotis
Identification
14 - 15cm. A small, chunky Stachyris-babbler:
- Often broken whitish supercilium breaking into white spots on black around rear of grey ear-coverts
- Black throat
- Greyish olive-brown crown
- Upperparts rufescent olive-brown
- Mid grey underparts, sharply demarcated from black throat, browner on flanks and lower belly
Sexes similar. Juveniles are duller above than adults.
Similar species
Similar to Black-throated Babbler which has also a similar range. White-necked Babbler is duller above with fewer white markings (no white malar patch).
Distribution
Found from southern Thailand over peninsular Malaysia to Sumatra and Borneo (Indonesia, Brunei).
Generally rare and scarce in its range.
Taxonomy
3 subspecies recognized:
- S. l. leucotis in south Thailand and peninsular Malaysia
- S. l. sumatrensis in north and central Sumatra
- S. l. obscurata in Borneo
Habitat
Primary evergreen forest but also selectively and heavily logged forest. From lowlands up to 800m (1000m in north Borneo). Apparently a slope specialist.
Behaviour
Feeds on black beetles, flies, caterpillars and small locustids.
Usually seen singly, in pairs or small groups, sometimes together with other small babblers, including Black-throated Babbler. Forages on the forest floor or in lower storey.
Breeding season from January to February and May to June (and possibly December). The nest is a compact cup, made of grass, roots and fibre. Lays 3 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
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) White-necked Babbler. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 8 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/White-necked_Babbler
