From Opus

Photo by Dave B
Meropoh, Taman Negara, Malaysia

Stachyris maculata

Alternative name: Red-rumped Babbler

[edit] Identification

17 - 18.5cm. A relatively large Stachyris-babbler:

• Dull olive brown above with elongate chestnut rump plumes
• Dense black markings below
• Blue or purple orbital skin and rictal area
• Blackish, rather long bill

[edit] Distribution

Southeast Asia: Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Thailand.
Locally common within its range. Extinct in Singapore.

[edit] Taxonomy

There are 3 subspecies:

• S. m. maculata in southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, the Riau Archipelago, Sumatra and Borneo
• S. m. banjakensis on Banyak Island off Sumatra
• S. m. hypopyrrha on Batu Islands off Sumatra

Has also been placed in genus Macronous.

[edit] Habitat

Primary evergreen forest. Also found in regenerating or selectively logged forest, secondary growth, peatswamp-forest and upland heath. Usually below 200m in southeast Asia, up to 700m in Sumatra.

[edit] Behaviour

Feeds on invertebrates.
Usually seen foraging in big groups of up to 18 birds in lower and middle storey. Gleans from foliage and propes tree bark.
Breeding season from March to September in mainland Asia, March to April in Sumatra and February and May to September in Borneo. The nest is a loose cup or globe made of dry leaves. It's placed near to the ground in the centre of a small palm or in tangle of creepers and dead leaves. Lays 3 eggs.
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

• List of references

[edit] External Links