Sumatran Babbler
Pellorneum buettikoferi
Exceedingly plain and short-tailed babbler, found in the broadleaf evergreen forests of Sumatra’s lowlands and foothills. Compare with Horsfield’s, Abbott’s, White-breasted, and Short-tailed Babblers; note large pinkish-colored bill and lack of any warm color on the back or sides. Dull, skulky, and generally uncommon, this undergrowth-dweller can be difficult to get a good look at, and is more readily heard than seen. Forages singly and in pairs, typically on or close to the ground. Song is a variable, cheery up-and-down series of notes; in southern parts of the species’ range, singing birds may add a trill at the end of a song. Call is an explosive, rapid chatter.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Pellorneum buettikoferi
- Authority
- (Vorderman, 1892)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pellorneidae
- Genus
- Pellorneum
Range and habitat
It is endemic to Indonesia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest. It is threatened by habitat loss. It used to be considered a subspecies of the buff-breasted babbler.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Solomons Rufous Fantail
Rhipidura rufofronta
Small, active songbird with long, pale-tipped tail and warm brownish-orange on the forehead, rump, and tail base. Varies throughout range in the Solomons; all are brown above and pale below, with a black-speckled breast. Birds on Uki Island stand out in having a black throat, while birds on Santa Ana and San Cristobal (Makira) average paler, brighter brown on the back. Inhabits wooded habitats from the coast up into the mountains. High-pitched, tinkling song often has a descending quality. Formerly grouped with other closely related species under “Rufous Fantail.”
Fire-capped Tit
Cephalopyrus flammiceps
More of a soft blush than a burning flame, the red patch on the male’s face is nonetheless unique. The female lacks the red patch, but is still distinctive in her size, small sharp bill, and pale wingbars. Both sexes are yellow above and pale gray below, with the male being more predominantly yellow than the female. Found in montane broadleaf forest at middle to high elevations, sometimes mixed in with other species; some populations descend to lower foothills and lowlands in the winter. Song is an undulating series of twitters, chips, and trills; also twitters and trills when flocking.
White-banded Tanager
Neothraupis fasciata
Medium-sized, strikingly-plumaged tanager resembling a shrike with its mostly gray coloration, a broad black mask, and a white shoulder patch. Occurs in savanna and grasslands with scattered trees where it can be seen in small groups and sometimes accompanying mixed-species flocks. Song is a series of high chipping notes.
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