Brachypteryx leucophris
The Lesser Shortwing (*Brachypteryx leucophris*) is a petite and elusive passerine belonging to the Old World flycatcher family (Muscicapidae), though it was historically placed with thrushes or babblers. Measuring 13-14 cm (5.1-5.5 inches) in length and weighing 14-23 grams, this ground-dwelling bird is characterized by its short tail, relatively long legs, and dark grey-brown upperparts that blend seamlessly with the forest floor. A striking white supercilium (eyebrow) is its most distincti...
The Lesser Shortwing primarily inhabits dense undergrowth of montane evergreen and deciduous forests, often near streams or ravines. It is typically found at elevations between 800 and 3,000 meters (2,600-9,800 feet), occasionally descending to lower altitudes during winter.
Its diet consists primarily of small invertebrates, including insects, spiders, and worms, which it actively forages for by gleaning and probing through leaf litter and low vegetation on the forest floor.
The Lesser Shortwing is a largely diurnal and highly elusive bird, often detected by its distinctive vocalizations rather than sight. It forages solitarily on the forest floor, meticulously gleaning insects and other invertebrates from leaf litter, moss, and low-lying vegetation, moving with quie...
The Lesser Shortwing boasts an extensive geographic distribution across South and Southeast Asia, primarily inhabiting montane regions. Its range stretches eastward from the Himalayan foothills, encompassing Nepal, Bhutan, and northeastern India, through much of mainland Southeast Asia including ...
Least Concern
- Named "shortwing" due to its remarkably short primary feathers, adapted for navigating dense undergrowth rather than long-distance flight. - Despite its name, it was once classified with thrushes (*Turdidae*) or babblers (*Timaliidae*) before genetic studies placed it firmly within the Old Worl...