Heterophasia gracilis
The Grey Sibia (Heterophasia gracilis) is an elegant, medium-sized songbird, measuring approximately 23-25 cm (9-10 inches) in length and weighing around 30-50 grams. Its plumage is predominantly ash-grey, strikingly offset by a prominent black eye-stripe, a subtle white supercilium, and distinctive rufous patches on its wings. A long, graduated tail and white undertail coverts further aid identification in the field. Taxonomically, it belongs to the family Leiothrichidae, a diverse group com...
Found primarily in subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, the Grey Sibia inhabits dense broadleaf evergreen and mixed woodlands. It typically occurs at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 meters (4,900 to 9,800 feet), occasionally descending lower in winter.
Its diet is omnivorous, consisting mainly of insects (such as caterpillars, beetles, and small invertebrates), a wide variety of berries and small fruits, and nectar. Forages by gleaning, hawking, and piercing flowers for nectar.
The Grey Sibia is a diurnal and highly active bird, frequently observed singly, in small conspecific groups, or as an enthusiastic participant in noisy mixed-species foraging flocks. Foraging activities involve acrobatic movements, including gleaning insects from foliage and bark, hawking flying ...
The Grey Sibia has a relatively wide distribution across the eastern Himalayas and parts of Southeast Asia. Its breeding range extends from central Nepal eastward through Bhutan, across northeast India (including Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Nagaland), and into northern Myanmar. The spec...
Least Concern
- The Grey Sibia is known for its acrobatic foraging style, often seen hanging upside down while searching for insects or berries. - It is a common and enthusiastic member of mixed-species foraging flocks in its montane forest habitat, traveling with other babblers and laughingthrushes. - Its sci...