Mountain Wren-Babbler
Gypsophila crassa
This small mouse-like undergrowth inhabitant can be difficult to spot in the tangled, well-shaded montane forest ravines, gullies, and streams it favors. Listen for its song, a series of high, distinct piping whistles: “hi-hee-hu-huh-hi” or variants thereof. Can be quite inquisitive, allowing close approach; look for a small chunky brown bird with elegant pale eyebrows, an overall brown body with strong streaking, and a contrasting pale throat. Eyebrowed Wren-Babbler overlaps marginally in range but averages lower in elevational preference; it also has white spots on the wings and a different song.
Identification
The mountain wren-babbler (Gypsophila crassa) is a species of bird in the family Pellorneidae. It is native to the Iran Mountains of northeastern Borneo. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.
Taxonomy
Genus: Gypsophila; Family: Pellorneidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Gypsophila crassa
- Authority
- (Sharpe, 1888)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pellorneidae
- Genus
- Gypsophila
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Black-and-white Tanager
Conothraupis speculigera
Highly distinctive and unusual species that is more reminiscent of a large seedeater. It has a unique migration pattern, breeding during the rainy season in the Tumbes eco-region in northwestern Peru and southwestern Ecuador and wintering in the western Amazon. The male is hard to mistake for any other species; notably larger than any similarly-patterned seedeater in range, with a longer, thinner bill. Females are dingy greenish overall, with a pale yellow belly faintly streaked with olive. Combination of size and shape, and association with males of this species should clinch the ID.
Todd's Antwren
Herpsilochmus stictocephalus
Common antwren of mixed-species flocks in forest canopy, but sometimes found away from them; heard frequently but seldom seen. From below, note clean white underparts, long tail, and rather heavy bill. Moves sluggishly along branches and examines leaf clusters. Often occurs in the same flocks as Spot-tailed Antwren and is not safely separable from that species under most viewing conditions, except by voice. Song is distinctive and given throughout the day, often when other species are quiet.
Swamp Harrier
Circus approximans
Long-legged medium-sized raptor with long narrow wings. Adult has varied plumage, but note diagnostic prominent white rump. Juvenile is darker below. Flies slowly and low over open habitats with wings held in shallow V shape. Breeds in reed-beds, and occurs mainly in swamps and wetlands.
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