The rail-babbler or Malaysian rail-babbler is a brown and pied rail-like ground-living bird. It is the only species in the genus Eupetes and family Eupetidae. It lives on the floor of primary forests in the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra, as well as Borneo. It is distantly related to African rockfowl. Its population has greatly decreased because much of the lowland primary forest has been cut, and secondary forests usually have too dense a bottom vegetation or do not offer enough shade to be favourable for the species. However, it is locally still common in logged forest or on hill-forest on slopes, and probably not in immediate danger of extinction. The species is poorly known and rarely seen, in no small part due to its shyness.
Region
Sundaland (Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo)
Typical Environment
Occurs on the floor of primary and mature secondary evergreen forests across the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo. Prefers shaded interiors with relatively open leaf-litter and sparse understorey, often along slopes, ridges, and near small streams. Avoids very dense thickets and brightly lit gaps. Locally persists in selectively logged forest and hill forest where structure remains suitable. Rarely ventures into plantations or heavily degraded scrub.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The rail-babbler is the sole member of both its genus (Eupetes) and family (Eupetidae), a rail-like but actually passerine bird endemic to Sundaland. It forages quietly on the forest floor, often running rather than flying, and is notoriously shy and hard to observe. Its song is a far-carrying, mournful whistle that can seem ventriloquial in dense rainforest. Habitat loss in lowland forests has caused declines, but it can persist in selectively logged and hill forests.
Temperament
solitary and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats; prefers to run on the ground
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly or in pairs, keeping close to cover on the forest floor. Breeding pairs maintain territories and nest low, likely close to the ground, in dense vegetation or root tangles. Displays include head-raising and tail-cocking while giving far-carrying calls. Outside breeding, remains largely solitary.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of clear, mournful whistles that carry far through dense forest and can seem ventriloquial. Also gives soft piping notes and repeated whistles during territorial displays. Vocalizations are often delivered from a low perch, log, or exposed ground patch.
