Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler

Overview

The rusty-cheeked scimitar babbler (Erythrogenys erythrogenys) is a passerine bird in the babbler family Timaliidae. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. The species is one of seven scimitar babblers placed in the genus Erythrogenys.

Identification

• Olive-brown plumage above with rusty colouring on the sides of the face, head, thighs, and flanks.
• Mostly white belly with sexes alike in appearance.
• Distinctive long, decurved beak shaped like a scimitar.
• Generally noisy with a mellow, fluty whistle and a two-noted "CUE..PE...CUE..pe" call.

Habitat

Found in the Himalayas from northeast Pakistan to Bhutan. It inhabits subtropical or tropical moist lowland and montane forests at elevations up to 2,600 m.

Diet

The bird feeds mostly on the forest floor and in the low canopy, forming small groups. Its diet consists of insects, grubs, and seeds.

Did you know?

The specific epithet combines the Ancient Greek words for "red" and "cheek". The type locality of the species was restricted to "Shimla–Almora" in 1924.