Black-throated Wren-Babbler

Turdinus atrigularis

Uncommon wren-babbler of Bornean lowland and foothill forests. Like most other wren-babblers, secretive and difficult to locate as it forages on the ground, usually in small groups. Best detected by its song, which takes two forms. “Short song” is a repetitive series of ten or so clear, hooting whistles, while “long song” can be up to three or four times the length and interspersed with more rising and falling notes. Duetting birds will often add an additional song element, a mellow rolling series of notes along the lines of “dee-dee-dee-da-doo-da-dih-doo.” If seen, note black throat, pale bluish-gray patch behind the eye, black-edged streaking with a “scaly” appearance, and chestnut wings.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Turdinus atrigularis
Authority
(Bonaparte, 1850)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Pellorneidae
Genus
Turdinus

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Mountain Chat

Mountain Chat

Myrmecocichla monticola

A medium-sized wheatear that is variable in plumage, but always has a diagnostic white rump and outer tail feathers in both sexes. The male has both gray and black morphs with white shoulder patches and black wings; gray morphs often have a gray crown. The female is sooty brown. Pairs and small groups perch on promontories in open shrubby hilly areas, stony patches on level ground, and around stone buildings, dropping onto the ground to forage. The similar White-headed Black-Chat resembles male dark-morph Mountain Wheatear, but has a black tail and rump and occupies broadleaf woodland.

White-eared Barbet

White-eared Barbet

Stactolaema leucotis

Small and distinctive dark-brown-and-white barbet. The amount of white on the face varies geographically, but there is always a white stripe behind the eye. Found in forest, forest edge, moist woodland, and moist scrub. Usually in small and vocal groups; often perched in prominent dead trees. The call is an agitated “kiik” that is often repeated. Separated from other barbets by the white ear patch and lack of yellow or olive-green tones to the plumage.

Rufous-tailed Stipplethroat

Rufous-tailed Stipplethroat

Epinecrophylla erythrura

Brown antwren with reddish tail and wings. Head is gray in both sexes, fading into a warmer brown lower body. Cream wingbars. Slightly longer tailed than similar antwrens and typically forages higher in the midstory. Often joins mixed-species flocks with other antwrens and antshrikes. Listen for its song: a steady series of high, rising “pseet” notes.

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