Moustached Babbler
Malacopteron magnirostre
Dull gray-brown babbler with a white belly. Namesake moustache is often faint and difficult to see. Sooty-capped Babbler is extremely similar but has a darker brown crown, a darker tail, and no moustache at all. Found in lowland and hill forests. Forages at middle and lower levels, clambering around on branches and trunks in small-to-medium-sized flocks, sometimes with other species. Sings a whistled series of descending notes; pairs often engage in duets. Calls include soft chips and raspy notes.
Identification
The moustached babbler is 18 cm (7.1 in) long and weighs between 16–25 g (0.56–0.88 oz). The plumage is dull brown above and whitish below. The crown is olive-brown in the nominate race, with a grey loral stripe and moustachial stripe.
Taxonomy
This species has two subspecies, the nominate race M. m. magnirostre and the subspecies M. m. cinereocapilla (Salvadori, 1868). A third subspecies, flavum, from the Anamba Islands, is sometimes recognised but is usually merged into the nominate race. The specific name magnirostre comes from the Latin magnus for big and rostris for billed. The name for the subspecies cinereocapilla comes from the Latin cinereus for ash/ashy and capillus for headed.
- Scientific name
- Malacopteron magnirostre
- Authority
- (Moore, F, 1854)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pellorneidae
- Genus
- Malacopteron
Range and habitat
The moustached babbler is found in Sundaland. The nominate race is found in southern Myanmar and Thailand through Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra, and the subspecies M. m. cinereocapilla is endemic to Borneo. Formerly, it could be found in the forests of Singapore, but it is now likely extinct there.<p>Its natural habitat is tropical moist primary lowland forests, peatswamp forest, secondary forest, logged forests and old rubber plantations, from 915 m (3,002 ft), rarely to 1,200 m (3,900 ft). It is suggested that this species, since it prefers logged forest to primary forest, could be used as a habitat indicator.[citation needed]
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The moustached babbler feeds on insects, including on beetles and locusts. They feed in mid-story, from 4–6 m (13–20 ft) off the ground.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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