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Chestnut-crowned Babbler

(Pomatostomus ruficeps)
Alternative name: "Chatterer"
Size: 21-23 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

The range of Chestnut-crowned Babblers includes the catchment of the Paroo River in southern QLD, the upper Darling catchment west of Walgett, i.e. the north-western quarter of NSW, the lower Murray River catchment along the border to VIC, to almost Adelaide and the far eastern part of SA, i.e. the land to the east of Lake Eyre, including Innamincka.

Chestnut-crowned Babblers can be found in dry scrubs, often dominated by acacia or casuarinas, mallee or dry open woodland.

Sightings

Chestnut-crowned Babblers were first spotted by us in Kinchega National Park, near Menindee, far western NSW in March 2008. The idenfication of the birds is certain, not only based on the colour of their heads, but also the distinct pattern of white bars across their wings.

Photos

Distant lateral view of a Chestnut-crowned Babbler; more photos of lesser quality (not displayed here) confirm the identification

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Territorial Mobility: Sedentary Elementary unit: Family clan

Food

Like all other babblers of the Pomatostomus family, Chestnut-crowned Babblers hunt for insects and their larvae in trees and on the ground.

These pages are largely based on our own observations. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.