Giant Babax

Pterorhinus waddelli

A social inhabitant of scrubby and edge areas in the southern Tibetan plateau, this is the largest of the babaxes and a common sight around villages and monasteries, to which it often comes for handouts and scraps. A bulky, long-tailed brown bird with a weakly curved bill and dark streaking all over the upper half of the body. Vocalizations are rich and varied, comprising melodic flute-like notes and harsher jabbering ones.

Identification

It is a bulky, long-tailed brown bird with a curved bill and dark streaks. On average, it is 31-34 cm long. Its vocalizations vary between melodic flute-like notes and harsh jabbering ones.

Taxonomy

The giant babax was described by the English ornithologist Henry Dresser in 1905 from a specimen collected by the British explorer Laurence Waddell in the Yarlung Tsangpo river valley in Tibet. Based on the results of a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic study of the Leiothrichidae that was published in 2018, the giant babax was placed in the resurrected genus Pterorhinus.

Scientific name
Pterorhinus waddelli
Authority
(Dresser, 1905)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Leiothrichidae
Genus
Pterorhinus

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Other Birds

Southern Yellowthroat

Southern Yellowthroat

Geothlypis velata

Skulking warbler typically found in marshes, moist grassland, and edge of swampy forest. Male is quite distinctive with his black bandit mask and gray crown. Female can be confusing, but her yellow throat usually stands out against her olive upperparts and sides. Song is a rich up-and-down series of whistles. Calls include a descending series of chip notes and a short rasp. Pairs usually stay well hidden, but males sometimes sing from an exposed perch. This species is at least partially migratory. In the southern part of its range it is present only in the austral summer, when it breeds, then moves north in the winter. In some parts of its range it can be seen year-round. Formerly considered a subspecies of Masked Yellowthroat.

Foothill Elaenia

Foothill Elaenia

Myiopagis olallai

Inconspicuous flycatcher of Andean cloud forest. Plumage varies geographically but always has a gray head, olive back, and yellow spots on wings that may or may not form distinct wingbars. Underparts are bright yellow in most of its range. In northern and central Colombia, it has a pale gray throat and breast and a yellow belly. Usually found at middle levels of the forest, often with mixed-species flocks. Vocalizations include a series of downslurred notes and a rapid trill.

Yellow-legged Buttonquail

Yellow-legged Buttonquail

Turnix tanki

Hardly bigger than a sparrow, this odd little ground bird has a disproportionately loud song. The booming hoots the female gives during the breeding season are often the easiest way to find this species in the open grassy habitats it occupies. Females are more vividly colored than males, with a bright orange breast and nape, yellow belly, white throat, and speckled gray upperparts. Males have a faded version of the same general color scheme, but have less spotting on the breast and a tan throat.

Start Your Bird Watching Journey

Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.