Identification
A chunky, medium-sized, remarkably drab babbler. Has a white throat in some parts of the range and uniformly brown underparts elsewhere. Found in the understory and at middle levels of rainforest at low and middle elevations, usually in small groups. Shy and skulking; rarely seen unless searched for. Very similar to Pale-breasted Illadopsis; note slight vocal differences, with a more pure whistled song. Brown Illadopsis is also slightly darker below, less richly colored above, and not as cleanly white-throated. Most often detected by voice. The highly variable song consists of single-note pure whistles separated by short pauses; sometimes the same note is repeated and sometimes consecutive notes differ, but listen for a haunting clear monotone whistle. Also gives scolding calls, sometimes accompanying the whistled song.