- Passeriformes
- Pellorneidae
Variable Limestone Babbler Gypsophila crispifrons
Sign in to see your badges
Identification
A large, chunky, scraggly-looking babbler found in limestone hills covered with forest. Gray and brown overall with heavy streaking on the head, back, and throat. An odd white morph shows a variable amount and distribution of bright white on the head and breast. Forages close to the ground, often in and around rocky cracks and crevices. Song is a loud, ringing, rather hoarse-sounding sequence of whistled notes including some repeated phrases, sometimes given as a duet by a pair. Also gives harsh “grrr” calls. Similar to Streaked Wren-Babbler, but larger and longer-tailed, lacking white spots on the shoulder.