Cyanoderma erythropterum
The Chestnut-winged Babbler (Cyanoderma erythropterum) is a small, engaging passerine bird belonging to the Old World babbler family, characterized by its rather drab plumage offset by striking rufous chestnut wings. Measuring approximately 10-12 cm in length and weighing around 8-12 grams, it sports a grey cap, olive-brown back, and a pale throat, with dark lores often creating a masked appearance. Its most distinctive field mark, the rich rufous wing patch, is prominent against the otherwis...
This species primarily inhabits the dense undergrowth of lowland evergreen and broadleaf forests, as well as secondary growth and overgrown plantations. It typically occurs at low to moderate elevations, generally below 1000 meters.
Predominantly insectivorous, the Chestnut-winged Babbler feeds primarily on small insects, larvae, and other invertebrates. It forages by actively gleaning and probing foliage, bark, and moss.
Chestnut-winged Babblers are diurnal and highly social, often observed moving energetically through the tangled vegetation in small family groups or as integral components of larger mixed-species foraging flocks. Their foraging strategy primarily involves gleaning insects and small invertebrates ...
The Chestnut-winged Babbler is a resident species widely distributed across Southeast Asia, spanning the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, and parts of mainland Southeast Asia including southern Thailand and southern Myanmar. Its breeding range encompasses these areas entirely, as it is non-migra...
Least Concern
- The Chestnut-winged Babbler is a frequent and often central member of mixed-species foraging flocks in Southeast Asian forests, acting as a "nuclear" species. - Its distinctive "churring" or "prrrrt" calls are a hallmark sound of the lowland rainforest understory in its range. - Despite its dra...