Chestnut-capped Babbler

Overview

The chestnut-capped babbler (Timalia pileata) is a passerine bird in the family Timaliidae that is monotypic within its genus. It is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, despite experiencing some decline due to habitat loss.

Identification

• Medium-sized babbler measuring 15.5–17 cm with unbarred brown plumage and a long, wedge-shaped tail.
• Distinctive head markings include a chestnut crown, a black eye mask, and a contrasting white forehead and eyebrow line.
• Features a thick, black bill; males are slightly larger with ruby-red irises, while females have black irises.

Habitat

Native to a range spanning Bangladesh, Bhutan, parts of India, Myanmar, Thailand, Indochina, and the disjunct islands of Java and Bali. The species inhabits tall grass, reed beds, and shrublands. Its distribution extends from the lower Himalayas south to Odisha in India and includes areas in central and southern Myanmar to southwestern Thailand.

Diet

The bird feeds on butterfly larvae, beetles, and other insects. It is found foraging in tall grass and reed beds.

Did you know?

The nominate subspecies on Java and Bali is geographically disjunct, separated from the rest of the species' distribution in mainland southeast Asia by approximately 1,800 km.