| Rusty-crowned babbler | |
|---|---|
| |
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| Conservation status | |
 Least Concern (IUCN 3.1) | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Zosteropidae |
| Genus: | Sterrhoptilus |
| Species: | S. capitalis |
| Binomial name | |
| Sterrhoptilus capitalis (Tweeddale, 1877) | |
The rusty-crowned babbler (Sterrhoptilus capitalis) 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
EBird 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.
Habitat and conservation status
Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forest. It is seen on the undergrowth of primary forests or along forest edge. Most Ebird and sight records are in the PICOP Logging Concession in Bislig which has undergone massive deforestation. Its population is believed to be descreasing.
References
- BirdLife International (2018). "Sterrhoptilus capitalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T22716207A132110934. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22716207A132110934.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- "Black-crowned Babbler". Ebird. Archived from the original on 30 March 2020.
- "IOC World Bird List 6.3". IOC World Bird List Datasets. doi:10.14344/ioc.ml.6.3.
- Collar, Nigel; Robson, Craig (2020). "Rusty-crowned Babbler (Sterrhoptilus capitalis), version 1.0". Birds of the World.
- Collar, Nigel; Robson, Craig (2020). "Rusty-crowned Babbler (Sterrhoptilus capitalis), version 1.0". Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.rucbab3.01species_shared.bow.project_name (inactive 20 December 2024). ISSN 2771-3105.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of December 2024 (link) - Allen, Desmond (2020). Birds of the Philippines. Barcelona: Lynx and Birdlife International Field Guides. pp. 296–297.
- "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Sterrhoptilus capitalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 9 August 2018.
- Collar, N. J. & Robson, C. 2007. Family Timaliidae (Babblers) pp. 70 – 291 in; del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Christie, D.A. eds. Handbook of the Birds of the World, Vol. 12. Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.
| Taxon identifiers | |
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| Sterrhoptilus capitalis |
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