Alternative names: Tailed Wren-Babbler, Short-tailed Wren-Babbler
- Spelaeornis caudatus
Identification
A small (9cm) Wren-Babbler of the Himalayas3. Has a prominent rufous throat without markings, grey face, black-and-white barred belly, and a short but obvious tail.
Females and males are similar, juveniles are warmer above and scaled.
Similar Species
The obvious tail and the rufous throat distinguish this species from Pnoepyga Wren-Babblers.
Distribution
Found in the Himalayas from E Nepal over Bhutan to NE India (Arunachal Pradesh)1.
Restricted-range species, very rare in Nepal, more common in Bhutan and India. Good sites for this specie are Thrumshingla National Park in Bhutan and Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary in India.
Taxonomy
Monotypic.1, 2
Sometimes considered conspecific with Mishmi Wren-Babbler.1
Habitat
Dense undergrowth and thickets in moist broadleaf evergreen forest, prefers steep narrow gullys and secluded valleys with ferns, mossy rocks and fallen trees. Found at 1400m - 2400m in Bhutan and 1800m - 2400m in India.1
Behaviour
Feeds on insects.
Not much known about breeding. Recorded singing in Bhutan from March to May. Said to lay 3 - 4 eggs.
Resident with some small altitudinal movement.1
References
- del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. and Christie, D.A. eds. 2007. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 12. Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 84-96553-42-6
- Clements James F. 2007. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2007. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. ISBN 9780801445019
- Rasmussen, P. C. and Anderton, J. C. 2005. Birds of South Asia. The Ripley Guide. Washington and Barcelona. Smithsonian Institute and Lynx Edicions. ISBN 84-87334-67-9
