Calabarzon Babbler
Sterrhoptilus affinis
A fairly small bird of lowland and foothill forest and edge; endemic to Luzon, though lumped with Visayan Babbler under “Black-crowned Babbler” by some taxonomies. Has a gray back and cheek with fine pale streaks, dark wings and tail with white outer tail feathers, white underparts, a pale rufous throat, and a black crown. Note the slender black bill. Often joins mixed-species flocks and sometimes hangs upside down while feeding. Somewhat similar to Green-backed Whistler, especially from below, but smaller, with a pale rufous throat and a black crown. Voice includes a medium-pitched “poo piuu!” with the second note downslurred.
Identification
EBird describes it as "A fairly small bird of lowland and foothill forest and edge. Has a gray back and cheek with fine pale streaks, dark wings and tail with white outer tail feathers, white underparts, a pale rufous throat, and a black crown. Note the slender black bill. Often joins mixed-species flocks and sometimes hangs upside down while feeding. Somewhat similar to green-backed whistler, especially from below, but smaller, with a pale rufous throat and a black crown. Voice includes a medium-pitched 'poo piuu!' with the second note downslurred." It is seen in mixed flocks along with blue-headed fantails, sulphur-billed nuthatches, Philippine bulbuls, lowland white-eyes, yellowish white-eye, flowerpeckers, sunbirds and other forest birds.<p>The Calabarzon babbler has been known to interbreed with the golden-crowned babbler in areas where their ranges overlap.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Sterrhoptilus affinis
- Authority
- (McGregor, 1907)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Zosteropidae
- Genus
- Sterrhoptilus
Range and habitat
Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forest. It is seen on the undergrowth of primary forests or along forest edge.
Photos
Distribution
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