Bicol Ground Warbler

Alternative names: Sorsogon Wren-Babbler; Bicol Ground Warbler

Robsonius sorsogonensis

Identification

20 - 22cm. A long-billed and long-legged Babbler:

• Greyish-olive crown with faint dark scales
• Upperparts olive, becoming uniform brown on lower back
• Bold white spots on wing
• White lores and narrow supercilium above eye, cheek and ear-coverts grey
• White submoustachial stripe, narrow blackish malar line
• White unspotted throat
• Middle to lower breast grey, belly white, vent dark brown

Sexes are similar.

Distribution

Endemic to Luzon and Catnaduanes, Philippines.
Uncommon in its range, but difficult to assess because of secretive habits.

Taxonomy

Two subspecies recognized::

• R. s. mesoluzonicus in central Luzon
• R. s. sorsogonensis in south Luzon and Catanduanes

It was formerly considered conspecific with Rusty-faced Babbler and placed in Napothera.

Habitat

Moist lowland forests and secondary growth. Up to 1000m.

Behaviour

Feeds on invertebrates.
Forages on the floor, walking slowly. Shy and secretive, difficult to see.
Breeding season February to August (sorsogonensis). The nest is a large ball with a front entrance, some 0.6m above the ground in rattan. Lays 2 eggs.
Resident species.

References

1. 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
2. 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

• List of references

Recommended Citation

• BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Bicol Ground Warbler. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 15 January 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Bicol_Ground_Warbler

External Links

Search for photos of Bicol Ground Warbler in the gallery