查看完整版本: Rufous-capped Babbler vs Common Tailorbird

Rufous-capped Babbler vs Common Tailorbird

Hi, can anyone teach me how to differentiate them? I bet I have seen both in TPK in the past month, but I don't know how to be certain. Is the color of the throat the most significant, or really the length of beak and tail (which seems difficult to say what is long/short). Pls advise. Thanks! 3551a50445

I think it would be easier to see the different when comparing two pictures together. Common Tailorbird has a longer tail and greenish back

長尾縫葉鶯 Common Tailorbird
[IMG]http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p85/puppymic/Canon%20400mm/IMG_7811_zps3d7a591b.jpg[/IMG]

紅頭穗眉 Rufous-capped babbler
[IMG]http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p85/puppymic/Nikon%20384/DSC_0025.jpg[/IMG]

Mandy, thanks! It seems the color of the face and neck is different as well. Can I say that Common Tailorbird is generally white on face and neck with black marks, while Babbler is more brown-liked?

You are right 3551smile445

A better photo of rufous-capped babbler from another HKBWS member

[url]http://www.hkbws.org.hk/BBS/viewthread.php?tid=16843&extra=page%3D1[/url]

Behaviour and calls of the two species are completely different as well.
The babbler is usually in a flock, often with other species, and usually gives a distinctive five-note call. They tend to stay at about head-height. Tailorbirds are not always in flocks (but sometimes join flocks of other species) and give a variety of different calls. They can be anywhere from ground-level to the tree canopy.

Thanks John and Mandy!