Eupetes macrocerus
The Rail-babbler, Eupetes macrocerus, is a captivating and enigmatic forest bird renowned for its unique taxonomic position and elusive nature. Measuring approximately 28-30 cm (11-12 inches) in length and weighing around 60-70 grams, it is characterized by its long legs, slender body, and exceptionally long, stiff tail. Its striking appearance includes a rufous crown, a prominent black mask extending through the eye, bordered by a brilliant cobalt-blue bare patch of skin around the eye, and ...
The Rail-babbler primarily inhabits dense, undisturbed lowland and lower montane primary and mature secondary rainforests, often preferring areas with deep leaf litter and tangled undergrowth, typically up to 1,000-1,500 meters in elevation.
The diet of the Rail-babbler consists mainly of insects such as beetles, ants, crickets, and cockroaches, along with spiders and other small invertebrates, which it gleans from the forest floor leaf litter.
This highly secretive and terrestrial bird is predominantly diurnal, though it can be crepuscular, spending most of its time foraging silently on the forest floor. It employs a distinctive high-stepping, deliberate gait, often pausing to scan the leaf litter, then pouncing on unsuspecting prey. W...
The Rail-babbler is a resident, non-migratory species endemic to the Sundaic biogeographic region of Southeast Asia. Its distribution encompasses the Malay Peninsula, including southern Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia, as well as the islands of Sumatra and Borneo. Two subspecies are recognized: ...
Near Threatened
- The Rail-babbler is the sole member of its own monotypic bird family, Eupetidae, making it a true 'living fossil' among passerines. - Its common name derives from its peculiar, high-stepping gait, reminiscent of a rail as it walks deliberately through the undergrowth. - This species is often co...