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Sri Lanka Scimitar Babbler (Pomatorhinus melanurus)

Sri Lanka Scimitar Babbler

Pomatorhinus melanurus

Least Concern

Overview

The Sri Lanka scimitar babbler, or Ceylon scimitar babbler, is an Old World babbler endemic to the island of Sri Lanka. It was formerly treated as a subspecies of the Indian scimitar babbler.

Habitat

The nominate form inhabits the western part of the wet hill regions of Sri Lanka, while the race holdsworthi is found in the dry lowlands and eastern hills. The species is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Did you know?

The Sinhala vernacular name parandel kurulla roughly translates to 'dried-grass-colored bird', suggesting the bird's plumage resembles the colour of dried grass. It also features on a 4.50 rupee Sri Lankan postal stamp.

Sources