Tarim Babbler

Rhopophilus albosuperciliaris

Uncommon, sandy-colored babbler of dry scrubby and weedy areas, often on hill- and mountain-sides. Readily distinguished from other brown birds in its range by its long tail, thickset appearance, pale brow, and faint dark streaking on the back. Looks like a faded version of the closely related Beijing Babbler (no range overlap). Forages on or close to the ground, often in small flocks. Varied repertoire includes a loud jumbled series of bright warbling calls, as well as bulbul-like chattering and high rattling twittering. Restricted to northwestern China.

Identification

The Tarim babbler (Rhopophilus albosuperciliaris), also known as the Tarim hill warbler, is a species of bird in the genus Rhopophilus. It is now thought to be a close relative of the parrotbills and is placed in the family Paradoxornithidae; previously, it was placed in the families Cisticolidae, Timaliidae or Sylviidae. It is endemic to China.

Taxonomy

Genus: Rhopophilus; Family: Paradoxornithidae; Order: Passeriformes.

Scientific name
Rhopophilus albosuperciliaris
Authority
(Hume, 1871)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Paradoxornithidae
Genus
Rhopophilus

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Behavior

Migration pattern: Resident species.

Conservation

Population trend: declining.

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

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Slender and streaked pipit. Feeds on the ground like other pipits, but perches readily in trees or bushes when singing, or alights in tree at end of parachuting song flight. As the name suggests, usually associated with trees (on breeding grounds), but also found in agricultural areas and grassy scrub in winter. All pipits look rather similar and are best identified to species by combination of habitat and voice: Tree Pipit call a high, shrill, buzzy "tzzz"; song more melodic and varied than Meadow Pipit song. ​

Cliff Swallow

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Black-breasted Buttonquail

Turnix melanogaster

Dark buttonquail of forested areas with dense layers of leaf litter in southeastern Queensland. Heavily patterned, with pale and dark mark markings below. Female has a mostly black head, heavily marked underparts, and a pale eye (Painted Buttonquail has a red eye); male has paler face, pale eye, and is less richly marked below. When feeding, this species creates deep, circular depressions in the leaf litter; searching for the presence of these depressions is often the best way to locate it. Vocalizations include a repeated clucking call.

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