From Opus

Photo by Dave B, Location: Fraser's Hill, Malaysia
subspecies occidentalis

Alternative name: Yellow-billed Scimitar-Babbler

Pomatorhinus montanus

[edit] Identification

19 - 21cm. A small Scimitar-Babbler with a relatively short decurved bill:

• Chestnut mantle
• White chest and throat
• Black head with white supercilium
• White vent and flanks
• Brown primaries and tail
• Yellow, decurved bill

Sexes are similar. Occidentalis and bornensis are smaller and brighter than nominates.

[edit] Distribution

	Found in extreme S Thailand, the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, Bali and Borneo.
	Legend • P. m. occidentalis; year-round • P. m. bornensis; year-round • P. m. montanus; year-round • P. m. ottolanderi; year-round Maps/Texts consulted1

[edit] Taxonomy

Four subspecies recognized:

• P. m. occidentalis on the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra
• P. m. bornensis on Borneo and Bangka Island
• P. m. montanus in West and Central Java
• P. m. ottolanderi in East Java and Bali.

There is evidence that the behaviour and maybe also calls of upland and lowland birds are significantly different. Further study is needed and may result in another subspecies arrangement or in splitting the species.

[edit] Habitat

Found in undergrowth and grass in moist montanes and lowland forests. Also in secondary and lightly logged forest, bamboo and overgrown clearings.

[edit] Behaviour

The diet includes snails, spiders, insects, seeds and fruits.
Found singly, in pairs or small parties, often associated with other species like Rufous-fronted Laughingthrush in Java.
Monogamous. Both sexes build a cone or bowl-shaped nest from plant material; 2-5 white eggs are laid.
Resident species.

[edit] References

1. 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

[edit] External Links