The malia is a medium-sized babbler-like passerine. It has an olive-green plumage, yellowish head and chest, and pinkish-brown bill. The young is duller than the adult. It is the only member of the genus Malia.
Region
Sulawesi, Indonesia
Typical Environment
Found in mossy and evergreen montane forests across the higher elevations of Sulawesi. It favors dense understory, vine tangles, and forest edges, and will use secondary growth where canopy cover remains. Birds typically forage from near the ground to the midstory, moving through thickets and along forest trails. Occurrence is patchy but can be locally common in suitable habitat.
Altitude Range
800–2300 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The malia is the sole member of the genus Malia and is endemic to the montane forests of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Its taxonomic placement has shifted historically, with affinities to babblers and grassbirds, but it remains a distinctive passerine. It forages actively in small, noisy parties and often keeps to dense understory where it can be heard more easily than seen.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small, noisy groups that move quickly through dense vegetation. It may accompany mixed-species flocks but often maintains its own party. Nesting is presumed to be cup-shaped in dense understory vegetation, with both parents likely involved in care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocal and loud, delivering ringing whistles and chattering scolds from cover. Calls carry well through the forest, often revealing the group’s presence before the birds are seen.
