Large Scimitar Babbler LSB
There is only 2 subspecies of Scimitar Babblers in Malaysian jungle. Large Scimitar Babbler is really a forest skulker; keeping to the undergrowth and behind foliage. For a size of nearly a footer; it is surprisingly a bit shy and timid bird. Unlike in Thailand which they are fed by bird photogs until they are so tame you can see them in the open in forest park. Not in Malaysia sigh. Most scimitar-babblers are jungle species, difficult to observe in the dense vegetation they prefer, but like other babblers, these are noisy birds, and the characteristic bassy calls are often the best indication that these birds are present.
LSB has a bassy vocal and unmistakable booming 2-3 syllable calls. They can be quite territorial and remain at a locale for a period of time like pittas. They can duet for umpteen minutes. In Peninsula Malaysia I have encounter them in montane forest upto 1,500 m; once in Awana sometime back and now I am very happy to get this lifer photo in Fraser Hill Pahang recently. I have to thank Davey for his tip off.
More often it forage on the ground and low storey foliage; by turning leaves over using its long slender scimitar like beak, in search for grubs and insects. It do not hunt & feed together with other species in birdwave unlike the Chestnut-backed Scimitar Babbler.
Generally Scimitar-babblers are rangy, medium-sized, floppy-tailed land birds with soft fluffy plumage. They have strong legs and are quite terrestrial. This group is not strongly migratory, and most species have short rounded wings, and a weak flight. Scimitar-babblers have long down curved bills, used to work through the leaf litter, which give the group its name. They are typically long tailed, dark brown above, and white or orange-brown below. Many have striking head patterns, with a broad black band through the eye, bordered with white above and below.
Hey - 2 out of 2! Congrats!
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