Alternative name: Kelley's Tit-Babbler
- Mixornis kelleyi
Macronous kelleyi
Identification
14cm (5½ in). Similar to Grey-cheeked Tit-Babbler but bigger and ranges don't overlap.
- Dull rufous crown
- Dull brown upperparts
- Face and neck side pale grey
- Chin, throat and breast pale yellowish with narrow sparse blackish shaft streaks
- Iris pale yellow to amber
Confusion species
Distinguished from similar Stripe-throated Tit-Babbler by grey supercilium and head side, paler upperparts and bare streaking.
Distribution
Found in central and south Laos, east Cambodia and Vietnam.
Restricted-range species but fairly common in its small range.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Like all species of this genus the scientific name is also spelled Macronus.
Formerly placed in the genus Macronous.
Habitat
Middle to lower storey of primary, logged primary and secondary broadleaf evergreen forest and bamboo. Found up to 1165m in Vietnam.
Behaviour
Diet
Feeds probably on insects and some vegetable matter.
Breeding
During breeding season found singly or in pairs, outside in small groups, often with other species. Ecology similar to Stripe-throated Tit-Babbler but less frequently in understorey.
Breeding season February to March in Laos. The nest is an untidy globe of bits of dead banana and other leaves and twigs. It's placed 3 - 15m above the ground in banana plant, vines or at extremity of a large tree branch. Lays 4 eggs.
Movements
Resident species.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2015. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2015, with updates to August 2015. 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
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Grey-faced Tit-Babbler. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 29 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Grey-faced_Tit-Babbler
