Green Shrike-Babbler
Pteruthius xanthochlorus
A small and unobtrusive inhabitant of montane forests. Round-headed and short-billed. Variable across its expansive range, but male tends to be slightly more colorful than the female, which has a lighter gray head and tinges of greenish-yellow on the back and flanks. A white eyering of varying thickness is present in some subspecies. Overall, however, a gray head, pale belly, and olive green upperparts are found regardless of region or sex.
Identification
This species is about 13 centimeters in length. The male bird has a grey head, with olive-green on its back. Its throat and breast are a pale ashy grey color, with a yellow belly. The crown is blackish. The female bird is slightly duller than the male and has a greyish crown.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Pteruthius xanthochlorus
- Authority
- Gray, JE & Gray, GR, 1847
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Vireonidae
- Genus
- Pteruthius
Range and habitat
It is found in Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Vietnam. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. This species is usually found in deciduous and coniferous forests, at altitudes of 2100–3000 meters above sea level, during most seasons. However, they may descend to lower altitudes in winter. In India, the species is found in Darjeeling, Sikkim, Uttrakhand and Arunachal Pradesh.
- Migration
- Vertical migration
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Short-billed Canastero
Asthenes baeri
Medium-sized, rather nondescript bird, plain dull brown with a tail that is usually held cocked. Note the orange throat patch. Inhabits arid areas with scrub and woodlands, where it forages both in trees and on the ground. The song is a high nasal trill. The similar Sharp-billed Canastero has a longer bill and tail and an indistinct eyebrow.
Spot-breasted Antvireo
Dysithamnus stictothorax
Big-headed chunky antbird with a heavy and slightly hooked bill and shortish tail. Found in the lower and middle levels of forests and forest edges. Males have a gray head and and a white spotted face and are olive-brown above and yellowish below.They have dark spots on the throat, and white spots on the wings coverts. Females have a rufous crown and less distinct spots on the wings coverts. The song is a melodious series of ascending and descending notes.
Pink-headed Fruit-Dove
Ptilinopus porphyreus
An absolute gem of a dove, found only in high montane forests. Combination of bright pink head, black-and-white chest band, and leaf-green back is unmistakable. Female averages slightly duller than the male. Juvenile is green overall, with faint yellow feather fringes that fade with age. Like many other fruit-doves, can be difficult to see when perched quietly in the canopy; low, even hoots (sometimes with a blubbering series of higher-pitched notes following) can be frustratingly difficult to pin down.
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