Short-tailed Scimitar Babbler

From Opus

Photo by nhattanla
Da Lat, VietNam, April 2018

Alternative names: Indochinese Wren Babbler; Danjou's Babbler

Jabouilleia danjoui

Includes: Naung Mung Scimitar Babbler

[edit] Identification

Photo by James Eaton
Boch Ma, Vietnam, March 2007

With 18 - 19 cm (7-7½ in); a medium-sized babbler¹:

• Brown above, buff and white below
• Long, black, decurved bill
• Greyish-brown ear-coverts
• Brown to black moustachial and malar lines
• White throat

[edit] Variations

naungmungensis much darker than nominate

[edit] Distribution

Mainly in Vietnam and adjacent southern Laos. A small population in Myanmar.
Restricted range species, generally uncommon but common locally, eg Bach Ma National Park or Ho Ke Go Nature Reserve.

[edit] Taxonomy

The species is sometimes also placed in the genus Rimator and named Indochinese Wren Babbler¹.
Clements now places this species in the genus Napothera.

[edit] Subspecies

Three subspecies are recognized:

• J. d. danjoui in S Vietnam
• J. d. parvirostris in Central Vietnam and adjacent S Laos
• J. d. naungmungensis in the Naung Mung area in Kachin State, Myanmar

naungmungensis is sometimes accepted as full species.

[edit] Habitat

Primary and secondary broadleaf evergreen forest. Also found in rocky areas, up to 2100m.

[edit] Behaviour

[edit] Diet

Believed to feed on invertebrates, foraging on the ground or just above, in dense vegetation. Usually found single, in pairs or small family parties.

[edit] Breeding

Breeds from January to April in Vietnam, lays 2 eggs. No other data.

[edit] Movements

Resident.¹

[edit] References

1. 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/
2. 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

• View more images of this species on Orientalbirdimages