Mourning babbler

The mourning babbler, previously the short-tailed babbler, is a species of bird in the ground babbler family Pellorneidae. It is found in the Malay Peninsula, Anambas Islands, Sumatra, Banyak Islands, Batu Islands, Riau Islands, Lingga Islands and the Natuna Islands. It was formerly considered to be conspecific with the glissando babbler and the leaflitter babbler.

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Distribution

Region

Sundaland (Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and adjacent islands)

Typical Environment

Occurs in lowland and foothill evergreen rainforests across the Malay Peninsula and nearby Indonesian islands including the Anambas, Riau, Lingga, Natuna, Banyak and Batu groups, as well as Sumatra. It favors shaded, humid forest with a dense understory and abundant leaf litter. Also found in peat-swamp forest, riverine forest, and selectively logged forest if ground cover remains. It generally avoids open habitats and heavily degraded sites. Often keeps close to the forest floor, moving through tangles and along quiet gullies.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 1200 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size14–16 cm

Wing Span18–22 cm

Male Weight0.024 kg

Female Weight0.022 kg

Life Expectancy6 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

Named for its plaintive, mournful whistles, this skulking forest bird spends most of its time in leaf litter and dense understory. It was formerly treated within the Short-tailed Babbler complex but has been split, with the glissando babbler and leaflitter babbler now recognized separately. Its extremely short tail and rich, whistled song are key field clues. Sensitive to heavy forest degradation, it persists best where understory remains intact.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

shy and skulking

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats close to the ground

Social Behavior

Usually seen singly or in pairs, occasionally joining mixed-species flocks in the understory. Nests are placed low, often near the ground in dense cover. Likely monogamous, with both adults involved in parental care. Territorial songs are delivered from concealed perches.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

A series of clear, mournful whistles, often delivered in descending or sliding phrases. Calls include soft chups and low churrs from dense cover.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

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