Resident Short-Tailed Babbler can really sing!

posted in: Videography, Vocalisation | 0

In August 2013, Jeremiah Loei did a recording of the Short-tailed Babbler’s (Malacocincla malaccensis) song at Singapore’s Venus Drive – see HERE. The earlier video is reproduced below for comparison.

In 2015, after an absence of two years, Jeremiah returned to Venus Drive and was again welcomed by the lovely song of the Short-tailed Babbler (below).

Was it a territorail call or a call to attract the attention of any nearby females?

According to Collar & Robson (2007) and Robson (2008): “Song is a series of 6-7 loud rich whistled notes, descending in pitch, introduced by a dry trill: pi’pi’pi’pi’pi’ pew pew pew pew pew pew.”

Jeremiah Loei
Singapore
November 2015

References:
1.
Collar, N. J. & C. Robson, 2007. Family Timaliidae (Babblers). In: del Hoyo, J., A. Elliott & J. Sargatal (eds.). Handbook of the birds of the world. Vol. 12. Picathartes to Tits and Chikadees. Lynx Editions, Barcelona. Pp. 70-291.
2. Robson, C., 2008. A field guide to the birds of South-east Asia. New Holland, London. 544 pp.

This post is a cooperative effort between Birds, Insects N Creatures Of Asia and BESG to bring the study of birds and their behavior through photography and videography to a wider audience.

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