Alternative name: Ashy-crowned Babbler
- Malacocincla cinereiceps
Identification
With 13cm a small babbler.
- Darkish grey from crown to nape
- Rufous-tinged ochrous-brown upperparts, upperwing and tail
- Pale grey lores, cheek and ear-coverts
- Underparts white withnarrow brownish-ochre breastband and breast side
Confusion species
Very similar to Short-tailed Babbler. Differs in colours of crown, hindneck and uppperpart. Song very different and ranges don't overlap.
Distribution
Endemic to the islands of Palawan and Balabac in the Philippines.
Fairly common in its restricted range.
Taxonomy
Monotypic.
Has been placed in genus Trichastoma. Forms a superspecies with Short-tailed Babbler and has also been considered conspecific with it.
Clements now places this species in the genus Pellorneum.
Habitat
Primary and secondary broadleaf evergreen forest, up to 1300m. Also in second growth and scrub.
Behaviour
No information about food but feeds probably on invertebrates.
Usually seen singly or in pairs, foraging on or near the ground.
Breeding season from April to September. The nest is a cup made of grasses, rattan fibres and dead bamboo leaves. Lays two eggs.
Resident species, 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, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2013. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.8., with updates to August 2013. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Ashy-headed Babbler. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 16 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Ashy-headed_Babbler
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.
