Palawan Striped-Babbler
Zosterornis hypogrammicus
A fairly small, localized bird of mid-elevation montane forest on Palawan. Medium-brown above and pale buffy below with heavy black streaks, especially on the chest. Note white throat, gray face, and pale rufous crown. Often found in mixed-species flocks. Somewhat similar to Pin-striped Tit-Babbler, but larger, with a white throat and a dark eye. Voice includes a downslurred nasal squeal and other varied calls.
Identification
EBird describes the bird as "A fairly small bird of mid-elevation montane forest on Panay. Dark brown above and heavily streaked with black below, with base color blending from white on the throat to buffy on the lower belly. Note the white face edged with black and the thin black stripe behind the eye. Often found in mixed-species flocks. Somewhat similar to Stripe-sided and Visayan Rhabdornises, but smaller, and lacks the broad black band through the eye. Voice includes a loud staccato trill." They are generally observed to forage close to the ground.<p>It is the most distinctive among the four striped babblers (others being the Luzon striped babbler, the Panay striped babbler and the Negros striped babbler), which are generally plain brown versus the Palawan striped babbler's olive yellow markings.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Zosterornis hypogrammicus
- Authority
- (Salomonsen, 1961)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Timaliidae
- Genus
- Zosterornis
Range and habitat
This species is known from primary montane mossy forest from 1,000 m to 2,000 m. It is only found on three mountains, namely Mount Mantalingajan, Mt. Victoria and Mt. Borangbato. <p>Due to its extremely limited range, IUCN has assessed this bird as least concern. This species' main threat is habitat loss with wholesale clearance of forest habitats as a result of logging, agricultural conversion and mining activities occurring within the range.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Cliff Flycatcher
Hirundinea ferruginea
This unmistakable long-winged flycatcher is widespread (though rarely very numerous) throughout much of South America. As the name implies it occurs around cliffs, landslides, and even buildings. Medium size, warm rufous coloration (brightest on the wings), and habitat are distinctive. Some variation across range, with birds in the Andes having more whitish speckling on the face. Compare with Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant, which is larger and has a streaked throat. Usually seen singly or in pairs, perched conspicuously on a snag, rock face, powerline, or building.
Ash-breasted Tit-Tyrant
Anairetes alpinus
Tiny, crested gray flycatcher of high-elevation scrub. Shows black wings and tail, bold white wingbars, and white outer tail feathers. The only small, gray flycatcher with white wingbars in its range. Found locally in Polylepis groves and scrub along steep grassy or rocky mountain slopes. Forages singly or in pairs, sometimes joining mixed-species flocks. Listen for its song, a series of vibrant, grumpy notes: “whew, pew, pew, pew, pew….”
Principe Thrush
Turdus xanthorhynchus
A large brown thrush with pale blue-gray eyes, a bright yellow bill, and scaly underparts. The juvenile is flecked with buffy above. The only thrush on Príncipe, where it is a rare resident in lowland and mid-elevation forest between 100 and 800 meters, preferring ravines and valley floors. Song is a varied whistled medley that is mostly given at dawn and dusk, and alarm call is a typical thush-like “dzzrt.”
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.