Horsfield's babbler

Horsfield's babbler is a species of bird in the family Pellorneidae. It is found in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.

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Distribution

Region

Southeast Asia

Typical Environment

Occurs across Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and southern Thailand, primarily in evergreen and mixed dipterocarp forests. It favors dense understory in lowland and hill forests, but also ranges into montane forest. The species frequents bamboo, rattan tangles, and forest edges near streams. It forages mainly on or near the ground, working through leaf litter and fallen branches.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 1800 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size15–17 cm

Wing Span20–24 cm

Male Weight0.028 kg

Female Weight0.027 kg

Life Expectancy6 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

Named after the American naturalist Thomas Horsfield, this skulking forest babbler is often heard before it is seen. It keeps low in dense understory and leaf litter, creeping quietly along fallen logs and thickets. Pairs or small family groups frequently duet with mellow, whistled phrases.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

shy and skulking

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats, low and direct

Social Behavior

Usually seen singly, in pairs, or in small family groups keeping close to cover. It forages quietly near the ground, flicking leaves and probing crevices. Nests are placed low, often near the ground, built as a cup of leaves and fibers hidden in dense vegetation.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Song is a mellow series of clear, whistled notes, often delivered as duets between mates. Calls include soft chips and piping phrases repeated from concealed perches.

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Identification

Leg Colorflesh-pink

Eye Colordark brown

Plumage

Plain brown upperparts with warm rufous-buff wash and paler, buffy underparts; subtly streaked or shaded face with a faint pale eyebrow and whitish throat.

Feeding Habits

Diet

Feeds mainly on insects and other small arthropods such as beetles, ants, termites, spiders, and caterpillars. It may take small snails and occasionally small berries or seeds. Prey is gleaned from leaf litter, rotting logs, and low vegetation.

Preferred Environment

Forages in dense understory, bamboo thickets, and along forest streams and trails. Most feeding occurs on or just above the forest floor where cover is thick.

Population

Total Known Populationunknown

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