The moustached babbler is a species of bird in the ground babbler family Pellorneidae. The species is also known as the brown-headed babbler or brown-headed tree-babbler.
Region
Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Primarily found in the Sundaic lowlands of Peninsular Malaysia, southern Thailand, Sumatra, and Borneo. It favors primary and well-structured secondary evergreen forests, often along streams and in vine- and rattan-tangles. The species keeps to the shaded understory and lower midstory and can persist in selectively logged forest if dense understory remains. It avoids open habitats and is scarce or absent from heavily degraded sites.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The moustached babbler is a skulking understory bird named for its pale 'moustachial' stripe along the face. It occurs in Sundaic lowland forests and is sensitive to heavy logging and forest fragmentation. Pairs often perform soft, musical duets while keeping hidden in dense foliage.
Temperament
skulking and shy
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief, low flights through understory
Social Behavior
Usually in pairs or small family groups and frequently joins mixed-species flocks in the understory. Builds a cup-shaped nest low in dense vegetation or thorny tangles. Both sexes likely share in nesting duties, and pairs maintain contact with soft calls.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Soft, whistled phrases and musical piping notes, often given as responsive duets between pair members. Calls include thin tseep notes and gentle chattering when moving through cover.
