Black-breasted Parrotbill
Paradoxornis flavirostris
斑胸鸦雀
Introduction
A large, thick-billed parrotbill (family Paradoxornithidae, formerly placed in Sylviidae) endemic to the Indian subcontinent. In modern times, restricted to the Brahmaputra valley plains and foothills in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, India; historically also occurred in Bangladesh and possibly eastern Nepal. The species has declined significantly, with recent records limited to just three disjunct locations: one in Arunachal Pradesh and two in Assam (Manas National Park and Dibru-Saikhowa National Park).
Description
A 19 cm (7.5 in) long parrotbill with a large, thick bill. The plumage is more or less brown overall, featuring an extensive black area on the upper breast and uniform rufous-buff coloring on the remainder of the underparts. Distinctive black patches occur on the head-sides and throat.
Identification
Distinguished from the similar spot-breasted parrotbill (a close relative) by its extensive black upper breast versus the arrow-shaped spotting on the breast of the spot-breasted parrotbill. The black-breasted species also shows uniform rufous-buff underparts compared to the pale buff underparts of the spot-breasted parrotbill.
Distribution & Habitat
Endemic to the Indian subcontinent. Modern range restricted to the plains and foothills of the Brahmaputra valley in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, India. Historically occurred in Bangladesh and possibly eastern Nepal. Current known range limited to three disjunct protected areas: one location in Arunachal Pradesh and two in Assam (Manas National Park and Dibru-Saikhowa National Park).
Behavior & Ecology
The vocalization is a gruff howh, jeehw, or jahw. The song consists of rhythmic series such as aw jahw jahw jahw and uhwi uhwi uhwi uhwi. An alternative higher-pitched version includes wi chi'chi'chi'chi'chi, wi yi'yi'yi'yi'yi, and wi'uwi-uwi-uwi wi chu-chu-chu.
Conservation
The species has experienced a significant population decline. Previously described as fairly widespread and locally common throughout its range, recent records are limited to only three disjunct locations. The restricted and fragmented current distribution suggests considerable conservation concerns.
Culture
No cultural or folklore information provided in the source article.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Paradoxornithidae
- Genus
- Paradoxornis
- eBird Code
- blbpar2
Distribution
foothills of Nepal to northeastern Assam and western Myanmar (Chin Hills)
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.