Mountain wren-babbler

The mountain wren-babbler is a species of bird in the family Pellorneidae. It is native to the Iran Mountains of northeastern Borneo. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.

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Distribution

Region

Borneo (northeastern)

Typical Environment

Occurs in the upland and montane forests of northeastern Borneo, especially in the Crocker Range and nearby massifs including the Iran Mountains. Prefers dense, humid understory with abundant moss, ferns, and bamboo tangles. Often found along shaded streams, ravines, and on steep slopes with fallen logs. It tolerates lightly logged forest but is most numerous in mature evergreen forest.

Altitude Range

300–2400 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size16–18 cm

Wing Span22–25 cm

Male Weight0.04 kg

Female Weight0.036 kg

Life Expectancy6 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

The mountain wren-babbler is a secretive understory bird of Borneo’s upland forests, often detected by its rich, whistled duets before it is seen. It forages near the ground on mossy logs and in leaf litter, using a stout bill to probe for invertebrates. Pairs or family groups keep close contact with soft calls and rarely venture into open areas.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

skulking and secretive

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats close to the ground

Social Behavior

Usually seen in pairs or small family parties moving through dense understory. Nests are typically domed or ball-like structures placed low in shrubs or banks. It keeps to shaded cover and may occasionally join mixed-species flocks at lower levels.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Song is a series of rich, clear whistles often given antiphonally by a pair. Calls include soft chips and trills used to maintain contact in thick vegetation.

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Identification

Leg Colorpinkish-brown

Eye Colordark brown

Plumage

Dark olive-brown to rufescent-brown upperparts with fine mottling; underparts buffy with heavy blackish scalloping and barring. Feathers look soft and slightly shaggy, enhancing a rounded, compact appearance with a very short tail.

Feeding Habits

Diet

Feeds primarily on insects and other small invertebrates such as beetles, ants, spiders, and larvae. Gleans and probes among leaf litter, moss, and rotting wood. Will flip leaves and pick prey from bark crevices and moss mats.

Preferred Environment

Forages on the forest floor and low understory in humid evergreen forest, especially along streams, gullies, and mossy slopes. Often works around fallen logs, root tangles, and dense thickets where cover is abundant.

Population

Total Known Populationunknown

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