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| + | '''Alternative names: Grey-crowned Chatterer; Red-breasted Babbler; Rufous-breasted Babbler (''rubeculus'')''' | ||
[[Image:PA212421.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Nominate subspecies<br />Photo by {{user|IanC|IanC}}<br />Inverell, [[New South Wales]], [[Australia]], October 2007]] | [[Image:PA212421.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Nominate subspecies<br />Photo by {{user|IanC|IanC}}<br />Inverell, [[New South Wales]], [[Australia]], October 2007]] | ||
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;[[:Category:Pomatostomus|Pomatostomus]] temporalis | ;[[:Category:Pomatostomus|Pomatostomus]] temporalis | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | 23 - 27cm. The largest Australasian Babbler: | + | 23 - 27cm (9-10¾ in). The largest Australasian Babbler: |
* Narrow grey crown bordered by broad white eyebrow | * Narrow grey crown bordered by broad white eyebrow | ||
* Dark brown eye stripe | * Dark brown eye stripe | ||
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* White throat and upper breast merging to grey breast | * White throat and upper breast merging to grey breast | ||
* Rufous-brown belly | * Rufous-brown belly | ||
| + | [[Image:40934Grey-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus temporalis Lee POint 11-11-06b .jpg|thumb|350px|right|Subspecies ''rubeculus''<br />Photo by {{user|tcollins|tcollins}}<br />Darwin, [[Australia]], November 2006 ]] | ||
* ''Rubeculus'' has a rufous breast | * ''Rubeculus'' has a rufous breast | ||
| + | |||
Sexes similar. Juveniles similar to adults but with shorther and less curved bill and dark brown eye. | Sexes similar. Juveniles similar to adults but with shorther and less curved bill and dark brown eye. | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
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Locally common. | Locally common. | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| + | ====Subspecies==== | ||
Two subspecies accepted: | Two subspecies accepted: | ||
* ''P. t. temporalis'' in [[New Guinea]] and east [[Australia]] | * ''P. t. temporalis'' in [[New Guinea]] and east [[Australia]] | ||
* ''P. t. rubeculus'' in central, north and northwest [[Australia]] | * ''P. t. rubeculus'' in central, north and northwest [[Australia]] | ||
| + | |||
The two forms are sometimes split into two species. Furthermore due to the clinal variation much more subspecies are described but usually not accepted. | The two forms are sometimes split into two species. Furthermore due to the clinal variation much more subspecies are described but usually not accepted. | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
Dry open forest, scrubby woodlands, farmland with isolated trees and trees bordering roads. | Dry open forest, scrubby woodlands, farmland with isolated trees and trees bordering roads. | ||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
| + | They go around in family groups seeking out bugs to feed on, all the while making many curious calls, some that sound like kittens mewing or squeaky toys. Their method of locomotion is a comical bounce. At night they roost in communal nests but if some family members don't fit in the main nest they are turfed out and must use a nearby "guest" nest. | ||
| + | ====Diet==== | ||
Feeds mainly on insects but takes also seeds, spiders, scorpions or small reptiles.<br /> | Feeds mainly on insects but takes also seeds, spiders, scorpions or small reptiles.<br /> | ||
| − | + | ====Breeding==== | |
| − | Breeding season mainly July to February but recorded in all months. Co-operative breeder. Lays 2 - 6 eggs. | + | Breeding season mainly July to February but recorded in all months. Co-operative breeder. Lays 2 - 6 eggs. |
| + | ====Movements==== | ||
Mainly resident but some evidence for nomadism. | Mainly resident but some evidence for nomadism. | ||
| + | ====Vocalisation==== | ||
| + | '''Call''': a ''ruff-ruff'' call, rather like a puppy. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| − | #{{Ref- | + | #{{Ref-Clements6thAug15}}#{{Ref-HBWVol12}}#{{Ref-Simpson98}}#BF Member observations |
{{ref}} | {{ref}} | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
Revision as of 20:52, 24 August 2015
Alternative names: Grey-crowned Chatterer; Red-breasted Babbler; Rufous-breasted Babbler (rubeculus)
- Pomatostomus temporalis
Identification
23 - 27cm (9-10¾ in). The largest Australasian Babbler:
- Narrow grey crown bordered by broad white eyebrow
- Dark brown eye stripe
- Black, long and down-curved bill
- Pale yellow eye
- Greyish-brown upperparts, darker rump
- Blackish-brown long tail with broad white tip
- White throat and upper breast merging to grey breast
- Rufous-brown belly
- Rubeculus has a rufous breast
Sexes similar. Juveniles similar to adults but with shorther and less curved bill and dark brown eye.
Distribution
Southern New Guinea and northwest, north, central and east Australia.
Locally common.
Taxonomy
Subspecies
Two subspecies accepted:
- P. t. temporalis in New Guinea and east Australia
- P. t. rubeculus in central, north and northwest Australia
The two forms are sometimes split into two species. Furthermore due to the clinal variation much more subspecies are described but usually not accepted.
Habitat
Dry open forest, scrubby woodlands, farmland with isolated trees and trees bordering roads.
Behaviour
They go around in family groups seeking out bugs to feed on, all the while making many curious calls, some that sound like kittens mewing or squeaky toys. Their method of locomotion is a comical bounce. At night they roost in communal nests but if some family members don't fit in the main nest they are turfed out and must use a nearby "guest" nest.
Diet
Feeds mainly on insects but takes also seeds, spiders, scorpions or small reptiles.
Breeding
Breeding season mainly July to February but recorded in all months. Co-operative breeder. Lays 2 - 6 eggs.
Movements
Mainly resident but some evidence for nomadism.
Vocalisation
Call: a ruff-ruff call, rather like a puppy.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2015. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2015, with updates to August 2015. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- 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
- Simpson, K and N Day. 1998. Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. London: Christopher Helm. ISBN 0-7136-4877-5
- BF Member observations
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Grey-crowned Babbler. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 10 June 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Grey-crowned_Babbler
