Abbot's babbler (Malacocincla abbotti)

A seldom seen species here in the Gallery and so nicely captured Michael!

Another one in search of grubs among the leaf litter!!! Three fabulous posts Michael!!!!

That's a lovely picture you've taken of this babbler Michael.

He looks a little different to the Thailand subspecies in The Opus, so I'll add your one to the article as well.

Many thanks for sharing your great find with us lad.

I like the low angle of this shot, Michael.

Lovely low camera angle and a marvelous profile. TFS Michael!

Why is this not Trichastoma tickelli annamense?

Clearly you believe this is not Abbott's! As you are aware the two species are very similar and without a comparison of size, bill size, tail length it is probably difficult to come down on the actual species. I have scanned the internet (I find field guides are sometimes a bit misleading) and there are a number of photos of "Abbott's with similar size tail, bill and markings to my bird. Of course, there are also lots of shots of Buff-Breasted which display similar characteristics to my bird! Who is to say that their identification is correct!

I originally concluded Abbott's but am willing to be convinced otherwise.

I have looked through my bird sightings for the 2nd April and I had both Abbotts and Buff Breasted on the same day but not at the same time. Abbotts was early morning and Buff Breasted later afternoon.

I have ascertained that you are probably more experienced than I with regard to avifauna from this area though I would add that my guide for the day was Susan Myers, and, though not always correct (Who is?), is a well respected ornithologist.



Best Wishes

Mike Hooper

Michael, I did come across one of your photos of an obvious Abbott's at Cat Tien! I make the separation of the two species as they are found in S Annam by looking at two things principally, the bill strength, and the tail length. You are right! I am convinced that this particular photo is of the Trichastoma.
I agree about the utility of most field guides, however, I long ago compiled a photoDB of most bird species. I find it much easier to discriminate between similar birds by flipping through lots of comp photos, than I do trying to use field guides where much is left to the immagination, and, of course, to the bravura of the individual illustrators!
I am currently updating Pellorneidae which is the reason I happened to come across your photos.