- Malacocincla malaccensis
Identification
With 13·5–15·5 cm (5¼-6 in) like a small version of Abbott's Babbler:
- Ochrous-brown crown
- Nape, mantle and back paler
- Rufescent rump with brown upperwing
- Very short and often cocked tail
- Thin bill
- Greyish ear-coverts
- Blackish moustachial stripe
Confusion species
Ashy-headed Babbler is very similar, but ranges don't overlap. Abbott's Babbler is bigger, has a longer tail and a thicker bill.
Distribution
Found in south-east Asia from southern Thailand to Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra (with adjacent islands) and Borneo.
Locally common in its range, but patchily distributed.
Taxonomy
Has been considered to form a superspecies with Ashy-headed Babbler. Both species have been placed in genus Trichastoma.
Clements now places this species in the genus Pellorneum.
Subspecies
Two subspecies recognized:
- M. m. malaccense:
- Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Anambas, North Natuna, Lingga and Riau archipelago
- M. m. saturatum:
- West Borneo, Bangka and Belitung islands
- M. m. poliogenys:
- East Borneo
- M. m. feriatum:
- Extreme north-eastern Sarawak (Mount Mulu)
Habitat
Moist lowland forests. Also in secondary growth, scrub, thickets and overgrown rubber plantations. Up to 1000m.
Behaviour
Diet
Feeds on insects. Forages on or just above the ground. Usually seen singly or in pairs.
Breeding
Breeding season from February to September. The nest is a neat cup made of fine twigs, root fibres or leaves. Lays 2-3 eggs.
Movements
Resident, no movements known.
References
- 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
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2017. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2017, with updates to August 2017. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2021) Short-tailed Babbler. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 29 April 2021 from https://www.birdforum.net/wiki/Short-tailed_Babbler
