The rufous-headed parrotbill, or greater rufous-headed parrotbill, is a parrotbill in the family Paradoxornithidae and is found in eastern Asia from the eastern Himalayas to Indochina.
Region
Eastern Himalayas to Indochina and southern China
Typical Environment
Occurs from the eastern Himalayan foothills (notably northeast India) through northern Myanmar and south-central China (especially Yunnan and adjacent provinces) into northern Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. Prefers dense bamboo stands within subtropical broadleaf and mixed montane forests, as well as secondary thickets and forest edges. Often occupies river valleys and slopes where bamboo is abundant. It is patchy but can be common where suitable bamboo growth is extensive.
Altitude Range
800–2600 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The rufous-headed parrotbill (also called the greater rufous-headed parrotbill) is a bamboo specialist in the parrotbill family Paradoxornithidae. It forages acrobatically through dense thickets, often in noisy flocks and mixed-species parties. Its stout, parrot-like bill is adapted to prying insects from bamboo and gleaning small seeds. Despite its confined habitat preferences, it remains locally common and is assessed as Least Concern.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically travels in small, cohesive flocks and frequently joins mixed-species foraging parties in bamboo. Pairs form during the breeding season and nest in dense vegetation, often within bamboo clumps. Nests are cup-shaped and placed low to mid-level in thickets.
Migratory Pattern
Resident with local altitudinal movements
Song Description
A series of high, thin twitters and rapid chatter, often delivered in bursts as flocks move through cover. Contact calls are sharp, scolding chips that help keep groups together in dense bamboo.
Plumage
Rich rufous head and throat contrasting with gray-brown upperparts and buffy underparts; wings and tail dusky-brown. Feathers appear smooth and close-fitting, with a slight gloss on the head. The stout, pale horn-colored bill is distinctly parrot-like.
Diet
Takes small insects and larvae gleaned from bamboo leaves and stems, supplemented with seeds and soft fruits. Uses its robust bill to pry and probe into rolled leaves and culm sheaths. Also picks small invertebrates from twigs and foliage and occasionally visits seeding grasses along edges.
Preferred Environment
Feeds mainly in dense bamboo stands within montane forest and along forest edges. Often forages at mid-levels but will move from understory to subcanopy following food resources.
