Streaked Barwing
Actinodura souliei
灰头斑翅鹛
Introduction
The species inhabits montane forests in southwestern China and northwestern Vietnam. It occupies the upper and middle levels of evergreen woodlands at elevations between 1,700 and 3,000 metres. Two subspecies are recognized: A. s. souliei in northern Sichuan, and A. s. griseinucha in Yunnan and northern Vietnam. The species has a patchy but relatively extensive distribution across its range.
Description
A compact songbird measuring 21-23 centimetres in length, this species presents a warm brown plumage overall. The upperparts are brown, while the underparts feature distinctive blackish streaking across the breast. The wings and tail show fine barring, creating a subtle textured appearance. The head is uniformly brown, complemented by a greyish cheek patch that provides the only contrasting colour on the otherwise brown-faced bird. The overall impression is one of understated elegance, with the streaked breast being the most diagnostic feature in the field.
Distribution & Habitat
This montane specialist occurs in southwestern China, specifically in Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, with its range extending into northwestern Vietnam. In Vietnam, documented populations occur in Lai Châu, Lào Cai, Hà Giang, Điện Biên, Sơn La, and Yên Bái provinces. The species shows a strong elevational preference, being found between 1,700 and 3,000 metres altitude. Its habitat consists of subtropical and tropical moist montane forests, where it inhabits the middle to upper forest layers.
Conservation
The IUCN Red List assessed this species as Least Concern in 2016. While a population decline has been documented, the rate of decrease does not approach the thresholds required for Vulnerable status. The species benefits from a relatively large geographic range, though its dependence on specific montane forest habitats makes it potentially vulnerable to habitat degradation and fragmentation over time.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Leiothrichidae
- Genus
- Actinodura
- eBird Code
- strbar1
Subspecies (2)
-
Actinodura souliei griseinucha
oak-rhododendron forest of northwestern Tonkin
-
Actinodura souliei souliei
oak-rhododendron forest of southern China (southern Sichuan to northwestern Yunnan)
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bird images and sounds sourced from GBIF, contributed by citizen scientists worldwide under Creative Commons licenses.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.