Green shrike-babbler

The green shrike-babbler (Pteruthius xanthochlorus) is a bird species that was earlier placed in the family Timaliidae. The species is now considered to be an Asian offshoot of the American vireos and belongs in the family Vireonidae.

Green shrike-babbler
from Khangchendzonga National Park, West Sikkim, India.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Vireonidae
Genus: Pteruthius
Species:
P. xanthochlorus
Binomial name
Pteruthius xanthochlorus
Gray & Gray, 1847

Description

This species is about 13 centimeters in length. The male bird has a grey head, with olive-green on its back. Its throat and breast are a pale ashy grey color, with a yellow belly. The crown is blackish. The female bird is slightly duller than the male and has a greyish crown.[2]

Distribution and habitat

It is found in Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Vietnam. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. This species is usually found in deciduous and coniferous forests, at altitudes of 2100–3000 meters above sea level, during most seasons. However, they may descend to lower altitudes in winter. In India, the species is found in Darjeeling, Sikkim, Uttrakhand and Arunachal Pradesh.[2]

Diet

The diet consists of insects such as ants and beetles as well as berries and seeds.[2]

Breeding

The breeding season is mainly May and June. The nests are usually found about three to eight meters above the ground.[2]

Illustration of the Pteruthius Xanthoclorus(Green shrike-babbler) by John Gould

References
  1. BirdLife International (2012). "Pteruthius xanthochlorus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. Ali, Salim; Ripley, S. Dillon (1972). Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan, Vol. 7. India: Oxford India Paperbacks. p. 77.
  • Collar, N. J. & Robson, C. 2007. Family Timaliidae (Babblers) pp. 70 – 291 in; del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Christie, D.A. eds. Handbook of the Birds of the World, Vol. 12. Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.


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