The Mindanao miniature babbler also known as the Mindanao plumed-warbler is a bird species in the family Cisticolidae. It was formerly conspecific with the Visayan miniature babbler. This bird is endemic to the Philippines found only on the island of Mindanao. Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forests and tropical moist montane forests. At just 7 centimeters long and weighing 5 grams, it is one of the smallest birds in Asia.
Region
Southern Philippines
Typical Environment
Occurs only on the island of Mindanao, where it inhabits primary and mature secondary tropical forests. It prefers dense understory and vine tangles from lowlands into montane zones. Birds forage from near the forest floor up to the midstory, often along forest edges, ridges, and in bamboo or mossy thickets. It tolerates some forest disturbance but depends on structurally complex, humid habitats.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the Mindanao plumed-warbler, this tiny forest songbird belongs to the family Cisticolidae. It was formerly lumped with the Visayan miniature babbler but is now recognized as a separate species restricted to Mindanao. It is exceptionally small, around 7 cm and about 5 g, making it among the smallest birds in Asia. It often joins mixed-species flocks, which helps it find insects and reduce predation risk.
Temperament
active and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups and frequently joins mixed-species flocks in the understory. Nests are likely small cups placed low in dense vegetation. Pairs maintain small territories and may perform quiet contact calls while foraging.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of thin, high-pitched tsee and tsi notes, often delivered rapidly. Includes short trills and soft duets between pair members, easily overlooked amid forest noise.
Plumage
Fine, soft plumage with olive-brown to rufous-tinged upperparts and paler buffy underparts; throat often slightly paler with subtle streaking. Short, wispy facial and ear-covert plumes give a faint 'plumed' look.
Diet
Feeds mainly on small insects and other arthropods, including beetles, caterpillars, and spiders. Gleans prey from leaves, twigs, and vine tangles, and occasionally probes bark crevices or leaf axils. Foraging is quick and deliberate, often at close range within dense cover.
Preferred Environment
Dense understory of lowland to montane rainforest, including secondary growth, bamboo, and forest edges with tangled vegetation. Often forages within mixed-species flocks along trails and ridgelines.
