The bold-striped tit-babbler is a species of Old World babbler found in Southeast Asia.
Region
Borneo (Sundaland)
Typical Environment
Occurs throughout the lowlands of Borneo, including Malaysian Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak), Brunei, and Indonesian Kalimantan. Favors dense understory in lowland evergreen and mixed dipterocarp forests, peat swamp margins, and riverine thickets. Common along forest edges, overgrown clearings, bamboo, and secondary scrub. Frequently forages within 0–5 m of the ground in tangled vegetation. Tolerates moderately disturbed habitats provided there is sufficient cover.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The bold-striped tit-babbler is a skulking understory insect-hunter that is far more often heard than seen. It shows heavier and broader ventral streaking than the similar pin-striped tit-babbler, a key field mark on Borneo. Pairs often duet and keep close contact with soft chatters while moving through dense thickets. It adapts well to secondary growth and forest edges, which helps keep populations stable.
Temperament
skulking but social
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically moves in pairs or small family groups and may join mixed-species flocks in the understory. Nests low in dense vegetation, building a domed or deep cup of leaves and fibers. Both parents incubate and feed the young, maintaining close vocal contact while foraging.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A lively series of chattering notes and ringing whistles, often delivered as coordinated duets between pair members. Contact calls are sharp chips and scolds that carry through dense thickets.
Plumage
Olive-brown upperparts with warm buff tones and a yellow-buff throat; underparts buff to warm ochre marked with bold dark streaks across the breast and flanks. Crown and nape slightly more rufescent-olive; feathering sleek and close with little gloss. The bold ventral striping contrasts strongly with the paler ground color.
Diet
Feeds mainly on small arthropods such as beetles, caterpillars, grasshoppers, and spiders, gleaned from leaves, stems, and dead foliage. Occasionally takes small snails and other invertebrates. May supplement with small berries or seeds when available.
Preferred Environment
Forages in dense understory and vine tangles, along forest edges, bamboo stands, and overgrown clearings. Often works methodically through low shrubs and saplings, rarely venturing into the open.
