Rusty-crowned babbler
The rusty-crowned babbler is a species of bird in the family Zosteropidae. It is native to the southern Philippines on the islands of Mindanao and Dinagat Islands and Basilan. Its natural habitat is tropical [moist lowland forest].
Description and taxonomy
describes it as "A fairly small bird of lowland and foothill forest and edge, with a rufous crown and a gray back and cheek, all with whitish streaks. Also has dark wings and tail with white outer tail feathers, and off-white underparts blending to a pale orange throat. Note the slender black bill. Often joins mixed-species flocks and sometimes hangs upside down while feeding. Somewhat similar to Brown Tit-Babbler, but slightly larger, with a rufous crown and a white belly. Flocks give a jumble of squeaky chattering notes."Subspecies
Three subspecies are recognized:- S c. capitalis – Found in Dinagat Islands
- S c. euroaustralis – Found in Mindanao Island excluding the Zamboanga Peninsula
- S c.isabelae – Found on the Zamboanga Peninsula and Basilan
Ecology and behavior
Typically seen singly, in pairs or mixed flocks along with Mindanao blue-fantails, sulphur-billed nuthatches, Philippine bulbuls, brown-tit babbler, Mindanao pygmy babbler, flowerpeckers, sunbirds and other small forest birds. Its diet is presumed to consist primarily of insects and some vegetable matter.Birds in breeding condition nwith enlarged gonads see in March and June. Immature birds have been seen in February, May and August. Otherwise, any breeding, mating, nesting and fledgling behaviours are unknown. Nest and chicks are undescribed.