Taiwan Scimitar Babbler
Pomatorhinus musicus
台湾棕颈钩嘴鹛
Introduction
A species of Old World babbler in the family Timaliidae. Endemic to Taiwan, where it occupies forested habitats across the island. The species was first described in 1859 by Robert Swinhoe and was formerly treated as a subspecies of the streak-breasted scimitar babbler. Population numbers are declining, though not at a rate rapid enough to warrant a threatened classification.
Description
A small babbler measuring 16-21 cm in length and weighing approximately 40 g. The upperparts are dark grey-brown. The underparts are white on the throat and upper breast, with strong rusty brown or greyish streaks extending from the lower throat to blackish coloration on the flanks. The head features a broad black facial mask and black bridle, a chestnut brown neck, a white eyebrow line, and black eyes.
Identification
Similar to the streak-breasted scimitar babbler but distinguishable by its slightly larger size and proportionally longer bill with a completely dark upper half. The crown is dark greyish rather than brown, and the neck is deeper and broader chestnut brown. The belly and flanks are heavily tinged with chestnut brown.
Distribution & Habitat
Endemic to Taiwan, occurring throughout the island in forested habitats.
Behavior & Ecology
No behavioral information provided.
Conservation
Population trend is declining, though not rapidly enough to meet thresholds for threatened categories.
Culture
No cultural information provided.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Timaliidae
- Genus
- Pomatorhinus
- eBird Code
- taiscb1
Distribution
Taiwan
Vocalizations
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.