Rufous-fronted Babbler

Overview

The rufous-fronted babbler (Cyanoderma rufifrons) is a species within the Old World babbler family. The buff-chested babbler is now subsumed into this species, which is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Buff-brown plumage with paler brown underparts and a dull rufous crown.
• Upper wings, tail, supercilium, and lores are whitish-grey.
• Small size, measuring 12 cm in length and weighing 9–12 g.
• Song consists of a high-pitched 'tuh tuh-tuh-tuh-tuh-tuh' phrase.

Habitat

Found in the Eastern Himalayan foothills, Myanmar, Thailand, northern Indochina, the Malay Peninsula, and the islands of Sumatra and Borneo. Nine subspecies are recognised across this range.

Did you know?

The specific epithet rufifrons is modern Latin meaning 'red-fronted', derived from the Latin words for 'red' or 'rufous' and 'forehead'.