The spotted crocias is a passerine bird in the family Leiothrichidae. It is endemic to the island of Java in Indonesia, where it is confined to west Java.
Region
West Java montane forests
Typical Environment
Confined to the montane evergreen and mossy forests of western Java, Indonesia. It favors dense, humid interior forest with abundant epiphytes and bamboo thickets. Birds are most often encountered along forested ridges, ravines, and mature secondary growth, rarely descending to lowlands. It can occur at forest edges but is most frequent in intact canopy and subcanopy layers.
Altitude Range
900–2000 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The spotted crocias is one of only two crocias species, the other being the grey-crowned crocias of Vietnam. It keeps to mossy, shaded montane forest and often joins mixed-species flocks while foraging. Its tiny range in West Java makes it vulnerable to habitat loss, and protected areas like Gunung Halimun–Salak National Park are important strongholds.
Temperament
skulking and wary
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups, often joining mixed-species flocks with other montane insectivores. Nests are placed in dense vegetation, with both parents participating in care. Territorial during breeding but otherwise relatively tolerant of nearby conspecifics.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of clear, mellow whistles interspersed with soft trills and chatters. Calls include thin tseep notes used to maintain contact within flocks.
Plumage
Dusky brown upperparts with paler, slightly rufous tones on the wings and back; underparts whitish to buff with bold dark spotting and mottling. Throat typically paler, with fine spotting extending onto the breast and flanks. Feathers appear soft and loose, giving a slightly fluffy look in humid conditions.
Diet
Primarily takes insects and other small arthropods gleaned from leaves, twigs, and mossy branches. It supplements this with small berries and soft fruits, especially when insect prey is less abundant. Foraging is methodical, often involving probing into epiphytes and dead leaf clusters.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in the midstory and subcanopy of humid montane forest, especially areas rich in epiphytes and bamboo. Frequently forages along forested ravines and edges of clearings but avoids open habitats.
