Alcippe morrisonia
The Grey-cheeked Fulvetta (Alcippe morrisonia) is a charming and active passerine, a member of the family Alcippeidae, previously classified under the Old World babblers. Measuring approximately 13-16 cm (5.1-6.3 inches) in length and weighing 12-18 grams, this small songbird is characterized by its distinctive grey head, particularly the prominent grey cheeks, a striking white eye-ring, and olive-brown upperparts. Its underparts are whitish, often with rufous or buffy washes on the flanks, c...
Found primarily in subtropical and tropical moist montane forests, broadleaf evergreen forests, and bamboo thickets, often favoring dense undergrowth and secondary growth. It typically inhabits elevations ranging from 900 to 2,800 meters (3,000-9,200 feet).
Mainly insectivorous, consuming a variety of small insects, their larvae, and spiders, gleaned from leaves and bark. They also occasionally supplement their diet with small berries or seeds.
Grey-cheeked Fulvettas are highly diurnal and energetic birds, constantly on the move, foraging actively from dawn till dusk. They are primarily insectivorous, employing a gleaning strategy to pick insects, larvae, and spiders from foliage and bark in the understory and mid-story of forests. Thes...
The Grey-cheeked Fulvetta boasts a widespread and resident distribution across East and Southeast Asia, primarily inhabiting montane regions. Its extensive breeding range spans southern China, including provinces like Yunnan, Sichuan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Hunan, Guangdong, and Fujian, extending east...
Least Concern
- The Grey-cheeked Fulvetta was historically placed in the large and diverse babbler family (Timaliidae) but has since been reclassified into the smaller Alcippeidae family, highlighting complex avian taxonomy. - It is a highly social bird, frequently observed as a 'nucleus species' in mixed-spec...