From Opus

Turdoides nipalensis

[edit] Identification

With 22 - 26cm a medium-sized Turdoides babbler.

• Distinctive slightly downcurved blackish bill
• Whitish face and underparts
• Fine dark streaks on throat, breast and flanks
• Pale bluish to witish eyes

[edit] Confusion species

Common Babbler and Striated Babbler are less dark above and less pale below.

[edit] Distribution

Endemic to Nepal but may also occur in adjacent India. Resident.

[edit] Taxonomy

Monotypic.
Formerly placed in monotypic genus Acanthoptila.

[edit] Habitat

Dense scrub on hillsides, usually far from cultivation. Found from 900m to 2150m.

[edit] Behaviour

Feeds mainly on insects. Forages on the ground, during the breeding season in pairs. Breeding season is from April to June. The nest is a deep cup made of grass and placed in a small bush. Lays 3 - 4 eggs.

[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

1. Rasmussen, PC and JC Anderton. 2005. Birds of South Asia: The Ripley Guide. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8487334672

[edit] External Links

• View more images of this species on Orientalbirdimages