Jerdon's Babbler

The Jerdon's Babbler, Chrysomma altirostre, is a modestly sized bird, with a length of 16–17 cm. It presents a buffy chestnut brown plumage on its upper parts and a slightly paler yellowish-brown on its underparts. The lores, throat, and breast are a pale greyish hue, while the tail and a wing patch exhibit a more vivid reddish tone. Both sexes are similar in appearance, with juveniles displaying a more orange tint to their upper plumage and a pinkish lower bill.

Identification Tips

To identify the Jerdon's Babbler, look for its long tail, which it uses for balance, and its bill, which is thicker than that of typical warblers but not as robust as that of parrotbills. The bird's legs and feet are dark, and it has a greyish-horn colored bill with a paler underside. The eyes are yellowish-brown, surrounded by a thin ring of greenish-yellow skin.

Habitat

This species thrives in dense reedbeds and tall grasslands, where it can be found among cogongrass, common reed, and reedmace species. It prefers habitats with tall reeds that can reach several meters in height.

Distribution

Jerdon's Babbler is native to the wetlands and grasslands of the Indian sub-continent. It is found along river courses, particularly in the floodplains of the Ayeyarwady River in Myanmar, the Terai region from western Nepal to northeastern India, and the Indus River basin in Pakistan.

Behaviour

Jerdon's Babbler is a secretive bird, moving quietly in dense vegetation, often in pairs or small family groups. It employs a foraging technique that involves tearing off leaf sheaths to expose prey, producing a distinctive crackling sound.

Song & Calls

The song of the Jerdon's Babbler is a gentle warbling consisting of 4 to 8 notes, ending with a drawn-out note. It sings primarily in the early morning and evening. Its calls include a short "tic" or "tsik," which may extend into a series and end with a plaintive "tew."

Conservation status

The Jerdon's Babbler is classified as Vulnerable, with a population estimated at fewer than 10,000 adult birds. The decline is attributed to habitat destruction due to drainage and damming for agriculture and flood control. Conservation efforts are focused on sustainable habitat management to prevent further population decreases.