Orange-billed babbler

Description

The orange-billed babbler (Turdoides rufescens) also known as Ceylon rufous babbler or Sri Lankan rufous babbler is a member of the family Leiothrichidae. The orange-billed babbler is a resident breeding bird endemic to Sri Lanka.In the past,it was considered to be a race of jungle babbler,Turdoides striatus. Its habitat is rainforest,and it is seldom seen away from deep jungle.This species,like most babblers,is not migratory,and has short rounded wings and a weak flight. Although its habitat is under threat,it occurs in all the forests of the wet zone,and is quite common at prime sites like Kitulgala and Sinharaja.It builds its nest in a tree,concealed in dense masses of foliage.The normal clutch is two or three deep greenish blue eggs. These birds are plain orange brown below,and have a slightly darker shade above.The crown and nape are grey,and the bill is orange.