Pomatorhinus schisticeps
This striking Old World Babbler, measuring 18-24 cm in length and typically weighing between 30-55 grams, is instantly recognizable by its prominent white supercilium that contrasts sharply with a dark slate-grey to blackish cap. Its back and wings are olive-brown, transitioning to a rufous-tinged rump and tail, while its underparts are largely whitish, often with a subtle buff wash on the flanks. The most distinctive feature is its long, strongly decurved, scimitar-like bill, dark brown to b...
Found primarily in moist broadleaf evergreen and mixed deciduous forests, from lowland plains up to middle elevations, typically between 300 to 2,000 meters above sea level.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on beetles, ants, grubs, spiders, and other invertebrates found by probing leaf litter and bark; occasionally consumes small berries or seeds.
A highly social and diurnal species, the White-browed Scimitar Babbler typically forages in small groups of 3-10 individuals, often forming part of larger mixed-species foraging flocks that scour the forest undergrowth. Their primary foraging strategy involves meticulously probing leaf litter, ta...
The White-browed Scimitar Babbler is a widespread resident across a broad swathe of South and Southeast Asia. Its extensive breeding and year-round range extends from the lower Himalayas in northern India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, eastward through Northeast India and Myanmar. From there, it...
Least Concern
- The White-browed Scimitar Babbler's scientific name 'Pomatorhinus' translates to 'lid-nose', referring to the operculum (a small flap) covering its nostrils, a common feature in the genus. - Its remarkably long, curved bill gives it the 'scimitar' name, perfectly adapted for extracting insects ...