Actinodura strigula
The Bar-throated Minla, *Actinodura strigula*, is a captivating member of the Leiothrichidae family, often considered a type of babbler, inhabiting the montane forests of the Himalayas and Southeast Asia. This small, active passerine measures approximately 15-17 cm (6-6.7 inches) in length and weighs about 16-22 grams, distinguished by its vibrant, intricate plumage. Key identification features include a striking rufous-chestnut crown, a broad black-and-white barred throat and breast, and a s...
Found primarily in evergreen and deciduous montane forests, as well as dense scrub and bamboo thickets, typically at elevations ranging from 900 to 3,000 meters (3,000 to 9,800 feet), sometimes descending lower in winter.
Feeds primarily on insects and other invertebrates, supplementing its diet with berries, small fruits, and nectar, often foraging by gleaning and probing within dense foliage.
Bar-throated Minlas are diurnal and highly active, often observed foraging during daylight hours and roosting communally or solitarily in dense vegetation at night. Their foraging strategy primarily involves gleaning insects and other invertebrates from foliage, bark, and moss, often moving rapid...
The Bar-throated Minla boasts a wide yet fragmented distribution across the montane regions of South and Southeast Asia. Its range extends eastward from the central Himalayas, encompassing Nepal, Bhutan, and northeastern India (including Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and the hills of Assam), through...
Least Concern
- The Bar-throated Minla often joins mixed-species foraging flocks, a common strategy in tropical forests to increase food finding efficiency and reduce predation risk. - Despite its "Minla" common name, genetic studies place it within the genus *Actinodura*, alongside other "Barwings," highlight...