Australo-Papuan babbler
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 Chestnut-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus ruficeps.
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The Pomatostomidae (Australo-Papuan or Australasian babblers, also known as pseudo-babblers) are small to medium-sized birds endemic to Australia-New Guinea. All five species are ground-feeding omnivores and highly social. Babblers live in family groups and small flocks of up to about 20 individuals and forage communally, calling loudly to one another all day long.
For many years, the Australo-Papuan babblers were classified, rather uncertainly, with the Old World babblers (Timaliidae), on the grounds of similar appearance and habits. More recent research, however, indicates that they are too basal to belong the Passerida - let alone the Sylvioidea where the Old World babblers are placed - and they are now classed as a separate family close to the Orthonychidae (logrunners).
[edit] Species of Pomatostomidae
- New Guinea Babbler, Pomatostomus isidorei
- Grey-crowned Babbler, Pomatostomus temporalis
- White-browed Babbler, Pomatostomus superciliosus
- Hall's Babbler, Pomatostomus halli
- Chestnut-crowned Babbler, Pomatostomus ruficeps
[edit] References
- Del Hoyo, J.; Elliot, A. & Christie D. (editors). (2007). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 12: Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees. Lynx Edicions. ISBN 9788496553422
[edit] External links
- Pseudo-babbler videos on the Internet Bird Collection
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