The brown-cheeked fulvetta is a babbler-like bird belonging to the family Alcippeidae found in the forests of South and Southeast Asia. It was formerly called the quaker babbler in India and common nun babbler in Malaya. They forage on trees for insects, sometimes hanging from the branches in a tit-like manner, and visiting flowers for nectar. They are often hard to see in vegetation but they have loud multi-note whistling calls in the morning and afternoon.
Region
South and Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Occupies evergreen and moist deciduous forests, dense secondary growth, bamboo thickets, and forest edges. It favors the understory to mid-story where foliage is thick, often near gullies and along shaded trails. The species readily uses regenerating forest and well-vegetated plantations, provided there is a dense shrub layer. It typically avoids open country and heavily disturbed habitats.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Often heard before it’s seen, the brown-cheeked fulvetta gives loud, multi-note whistles at dawn and late afternoon. It forages acrobatically in dense foliage, sometimes hanging like a tit, and frequently joins mixed-species flocks. Formerly known as the quaker babbler or common nun babbler, it plays a helpful role in controlling leaf-feeding insects. Its preference for thick understory can make brief, close views rewarding but challenging.
A. p. poioicephala from the Western Ghats
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small groups and commonly joins mixed-species foraging flocks. Builds a neat cup-shaped nest low in shrubs or bamboo. Both sexes share nesting duties, and typical clutches contain 2–3 eggs.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A loud series of rich, whistled notes delivered in multi-phrase sequences, most common at dawn and late afternoon. Also gives sharp chips and scolds while foraging in cover.
