Horsfield's Babbler
NameHorsfield's Babbler
Common NameHorsfield's Babbler
Scientific NameMalacocincla sepiaria
FamilyPellorneidae
Wingspan (cm)19
Length (cm)15
Weight (g)20
Plumage DetailsThe crown and nape are grey, contrasting with olive-brown on the back, wings, and tail. The throat and belly are whitish, transitioning to buffy on the flanks and undertail coverts. It has a dark brown eye, often with a faint pale eye-ring, and a dark bill with a paler lower mandible.
Vocalization / CallA distinctive series of clear, ringing, often accelerating whistles, typically rendered as "choo-choo-choo" or "pip-pip-pip".
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatsforest
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound across Southeast Asia, including the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, Java, and Bali.
Identifying Featuresgreyish head, olive-brown back, whitish underparts, skulking behavior, distinctive whistling call, found in dense undergrowth
Description
This small, shy babbler has a greyish head, olive-brown upperparts, and whitish underparts with buffy flanks. It typically forages on or near the ground in dense forest undergrowth, often heard but rarely seen.
