Grey-crowned Babbler

Overview

The grey-crowned babbler (Pomatostomus temporalis) is a species of bird found in Australia and New Guinea. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, though the eastern subspecies is considered near-threatened or threatened in certain regions due to habitat loss.

Identification

• The breast color serves as a key distinguishing feature between subspecies, ranging from creamy white grading to mid-grey in P. t. temporalis to a mid-to deep-rufous brown in P. t. rubeculus.
• Differences between subspecies also relate to brow coloration, facial bands through the eye, tail length, and overall size.
• Known by several common names such as 'yahoo', 'happy-jack', and 'barking-bird', the latter presumably due to a cackling soft tuk note.

Habitat

This species inhabits tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, tropical moist lowland forests, shrublands, and savannas. Its range encompasses Australia and New Guinea, with specific subspecies distributed across various Australian states and parts of New Guinea.

Did you know?

The bird is colloquially known as a 'happy-jack', a name related to its habit of moving about in 'talkative' family groups, as well as 'dog-bird' or 'barking-bird' due to its distinctive cackling call.