The Indian scimitar babbler is an Old World babbler. It is found in peninsular India in a range of forest habitats. They are most often detected by their distinctive calls, which include an antiphonal duet by a pair of birds. They are often hard to see as they forage through dense vegetation. The long, curved yellow, scimitar-shaped bills give them their name. It has been treated in the past as a subspecies of the white-browed scimitar babbler which is found along the Himalayas but now separated into two species, the peninsular Indian species and the Sri Lanka scimitar babbler.
Region
Peninsular India
Typical Environment
Occurs widely across peninsular India from the Western Ghats and adjoining foothills to suitable hill tracts and scrubby forests elsewhere. It favors dense undergrowth in moist and semi-evergreen forest, secondary growth, thickets, and bamboo brakes. Often found along forest edges, ravines, and shaded plantations with tangled ground cover. It keeps close to the ground or in low shrub layers, moving through cover in small, stealthy hops. Though common locally, it is frequently overlooked due to its secretive habits.
Altitude Range
0–1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This skulking undergrowth specialist is best located by its ringing, antiphonal duet in which the pair alternates notes seamlessly. Its long, scimitar-shaped yellow bill is adapted for probing leaf litter, bark crevices, and bamboo clumps for hidden prey. Formerly treated within the white-browed scimitar babbler complex, it is now recognized as a distinct species restricted to peninsular India.
An Indian scimitar babbler at Dandeli tiger reserve, India
Temperament
secretive and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low and direct between cover
Social Behavior
Usually found in pairs or small family parties, often keeping to dense tangles. Pairs maintain close contact through duets and soft calls while foraging. Nests are typically domed or well-concealed structures placed low in dense vegetation.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A loud, ringing duet with clear, whistled notes exchanged antiphonally by a pair, often carrying far through forest undergrowth. Also gives sharp chips and scolding calls when disturbed.
Plumage
Warm brown to rufous-brown upperparts with a contrasting white throat and long, crisp white supercilium over a dark eye-stripe; paler, buffy to olive-brown underparts.
Diet
Feeds mainly on insects and other small invertebrates such as beetles, caterpillars, ants, and spiders. Probes leaf litter, moss, and bark crevices with its long bill and turns over dead leaves to uncover prey. Occasionally takes small berries or seeds, especially when insect prey is less abundant.
Preferred Environment
Forages in dense understory, bamboo clumps, tangled hedgerows, and along shaded trails and ravines. Often works near the ground or in the lower shrub layer, rarely venturing into the canopy.
