- Rhopophilus albosuperciliaris
Identification
15 - 17cm. A small passerine:
- Very long, graduated tail
- Pale grey and sandy plumage
- Heavy dark streaks above
- Pale rufous streaking below
- Much paler than Beijing Babbler
The female is similar but has a shorter tail and is less streaked on belly.
Distribution
North-western China from Tarim Basin to Lop Nor.
Uncommon in its range.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.
Formerly considered conspecific with Beijing Babbler. Both species are placed here within the Sylviidae, but is closely related to the Timaliidae.
Habitat
Found in dry stone montane scrub, tamarisks, long grass, bush-covered hill slopes and in reed clumps.
Behaviour
No information on diet. Feeds probably on invertebrates.
Forages in vegetation but also often seen running on the ground.
Outside breeding season in flocks, sometimes together with babblers.
Breeding season in May. The nest is a deep cup made of soft grasses and placed low in a bush. Lays 4 - 6 eggs.
Resident species with some displacement in winter.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2014. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.9., with updates to August 2014. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Gill, F and D Donsker (Eds). 2015. IOC World Bird Names (version 5.3). Available at http://www.worldbirdnames.org/.
- 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) Tarim Babbler. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 29 September 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Tarim_Babbler
