Suthora webbiana
The Vinous-throated Parrotbill, *Suthora webbiana*, is an exceptionally charming and highly social passerine, instantly recognizable by its distinctive reddish-brown plumage and eponymous vinous (wine-colored) throat and breast. This small bird typically measures 11-13 cm in length, including its relatively long tail of 5-6 cm, and weighs a mere 6-11 grams. Its most distinguishing field mark, aside from the vinous coloration, is its short, stout, conical bill, adapted for crushing seeds, cont...
This adaptable species primarily inhabits dense scrub, bamboo thickets, reedbeds, and secondary growth at elevations ranging from lowlands up to approximately 2,500 meters, often favoring areas near cultivation or water bodies.
The Vinous-throated Parrotbill's diet primarily consists of small insects and their larvae, spiders, and a variety of seeds from grasses, reeds, and bamboo, supplemented occasionally by small berries. They forage by gleaning actively from foliage and stems.
Vinous-throated Parrotbills are exceptionally gregarious, rarely seen alone and typically moving in large, active flocks of 10-60 individuals, sometimes even larger during winter. Their daily activity is characterized by constant, acrobatic foraging, clambering through dense vegetation to glean i...
The Vinous-throated Parrotbill boasts an extensive geographic distribution across East Asia, primarily as a resident species with some localized seasonal movements. Its breeding and year-round range spans much of mainland China, from the northeast to the south-central provinces, extending through...
Least Concern
- The 'parrotbill' in its name refers to its short, stout, conical bill, which strikingly resembles that of a parrot, though they are not closely related. - Despite their small size, Vinous-throated Parrotbills are highly social and can form impressive flocks numbering over 60 individuals, especi...