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Wednesday 29 May 2013

We chonk, they chirp


I recently came across this description, in Wikipedia, of the Pin-striped tit-babbler;

The species has a distinctive yellowish supercilium and rufous crown. The throat is yellowish with brown streaks. Call is a loud repeated chonk-chonk-chonk-chonk-chonk somewhat reminiscent of a Common Tailorbird.”

This similarity of calls must be a source of constant irritation to the Pin-striped tit-babbler as there is clearly a pronounced class difference between it and the Common Tailorbird.


Pin-striped tit-babbler – note the discreet flecking, the aloof expression



Common Tailorbird – cocky stance, garish décor

On the rare occasions the two interbreed an interesting hybrid occurs;


Pin-striped Tailorbird – he's never sure whether the milk goes in before or after the tea