The Sri Lanka scimitar babbler or Ceylon scimitar babbler is an Old World babbler. It is endemic to the island of Sri Lanka and was formerly treated as a subspecies of Indian scimitar babbler. The nominate form is found in the western part of wet hill regions of Sri Lanka, while race holdsworthi is found in the dry lowlands and eastern hills.
Region
Sri Lanka
Typical Environment
Occurs across Sri Lanka from lowland dry zones to wet-zone hill forests. Prefers dense undergrowth, bamboo, and scrub along forest edges, ravines, and secondary growth. Also uses thickets in tea estates and plantations where sufficient cover remains. Typically keeps close to the ground, moving through tangles and leaf litter while foraging.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This skulking babbler is endemic to Sri Lanka and was formerly treated as a subspecies of the Indian scimitar babbler. It gives loud antiphonal duets, with mates calling back and forth from dense cover. Two races are recognized: the nominate in the wet-zone hills of the west and holdsworthi in the dry lowlands and eastern hills. It is often detected by voice long before it is seen.
Two birds (above) with an ashy-headed laughingthrush
Temperament
skulking and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats over brief distances within dense cover
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family parties, occasionally joining mixed-species flocks. Builds a domed nest with a side entrance low in thick vegetation. Pairs maintain territories year-round and coordinate movements vocally through duets.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Loud, ringing whistles delivered as antiphonal duets between mates, often accelerating. Also gives scolding chatters and sharp contact notes from within cover.
