Golden-crowned Babbler
Sterrhoptilus dennistouni
A fairly small bird of lowland and foothill forest, open wooded areas with developed understory, bamboo, and tall grass. Has a gray back and cheek with fine pale streaks, dark wings and tail with white outer tail feathers, white underparts, and a yellow throat and crown. Note the slender black bill. Often joins mixed-species flocks. Somewhat similar to female Mugimaki Flycatcher, but differs in behavior and in its yellow crown. Gives soft “whip” calls while feeding.
Identification
Ebird describes this as "A fairly small bird... Has a gray back and cheek with fine pale streaks, dark wings and tail with white outer tail feathers, white underparts, and a yellow throat and crown. Note the slender black bill. Gives soft 'whip' calls while feeding." They are spotted foraging alone, in pairs or in mixed flocks with other species. <p>The golden-crowned babbler has been known to interbreed with the Calabarzon babbler in areas where their range overlaps.
Taxonomy
Genus: Sterrhoptilus; Family: Zosteropidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Sterrhoptilus dennistouni
- Authority
- (Ogilvie-Grant, 1895)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Zosteropidae
- Genus
- Sterrhoptilus
Range and habitat
Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forestup to 1,150 m. It is often seen in lowland and foothill forest, open wooded areas with developed understory, bamboo, and tall grass. The IUCN Redlist has classified this species as near threatened. Its threats are mainly habitat loss due to deforestation for lumber, mining and farmlands. There are no known targeted conservation actions for this bird, but it will indirectly benefit from the conservation of other North Luzon species like the Critically Endangered Isabela oriole. The stronghold of the Isabela oriole in Baggao is being proposed as a protected area and will thus preserve key habitat for this beautiful babbler.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
Males are black with red shoulder patch that is sometimes concealed. Males have rusty feather edges in the winter. Females are streaked brown and often confused with sparrows. Look for long, sharply pointed bill. Often in flocks, especially in winter. Visits feeders. Breeds in marshes and scrubby, wet fields. Distinctive song, especially as migrants arrive in early spring.
Prairie Falcon
Falco mexicanus
Large, brown-and-white falcon of dry, open areas in western North America. Pale brown above and white below, with dark streaks and prominent mustache. Note the dark armpits to separate from Peregrine Falcon. Nests on cliffs, but ranges out over nearby grasslands and deserts when hunting. Feeds mainly on small rodents and birds.
Red-collared Mountain-Babbler
Turdoides rufocinctus
Unusual babbler with a black cap and a rufous collar and rump. Also note the pale bill and eye. Found very locally in the canopy and mid-story of montane forest along the Albertine Rift. Usually in small and vocal groups, which sometimes join mixed-species feeding flocks. The call is a raspy chattering. Very similar to Chapin’s Babbler, but not known to overlap in range, and easily separated by its black cap.
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