Rusty-cheeked scimitar babbler
| Rusty-cheeked scimitar babbler | |
|---|---|
| |
| E. e. erythrogenys, Ghatgarh, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India. | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Timaliidae |
| Genus: | Erythrogenys |
| Species: | E. erythrogenys
|
| Binomial name | |
| Erythrogenys erythrogenys (Vigors, 1831)
| |
_Nagarjun.jpg)
Nagarjun Forest, Kathmandu, Nepal
The rusty-cheeked scimitar babbler (Erythrogenys erythrogenys) is a species of
Timaliidae
native to South-East Asia.
Subspecies
Erythrogenys erythrogenys has a number of recognized subspecies:[2]
- E. e. erythrogenys (northwest Himalayas)
- E. e. imberbis
- E. e. haringtoni
- E. e. gravivox
- E. e. macclellandi
- E. e. ferrugilatus (central Himalayas from Nepal to Bhutan)
- E. e. imberbis (east Myanmar)
- E. e. celata (east Myanmar and northeast Thailand)
Description
The species is olive-brown above with rusty coluring on the sides of the face, head, thighs, and flanks. The belly is mostly white. Sexes are alike. The beak is long and decurved in a scimitar shape.[2]
Distribution and habitat
The rusty-cheeked scimitar babbler is found from the
montane forest habitats at elevations up to 2600 m.[1]
Ecology
The bird feeds mostly on the forest floor and in low canopy, forming small groups. Food items include insects, grubs and seeds. Calls consist of a mellow, fluty whistle, a two-noted "CUE..PE...CUE..pe" call followed by single note replay by mate, guttural alarm calls and a liquid contact note. The species is generally quite noisy.[1][2]
References
Further reading
- Collar, N. J. & Robson, C. 2007. Family Timaliidae (Babblers) pp. 70 – 291 in; del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Christie, D.A. eds. Handbook of the Birds of the World, Vol. 12. Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.