Photo: John Gerrard Keulemans / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
White-chested Babbler
Pellorneum rostratum
White-chested Babbler (Pellorneum rostratum) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of South & Southeast Asia.
Found across 3 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The White-chested Babbler (Pellorneum rostratum) is a member of the Pellorneidae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 21 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Close to qualifying for a threatened category in the near future.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Pellorneidae Ground Babblers
- Genus Pellorneum
- Species rostratum
Where it lives
Malay Pen., Sumatra, Riau and Lingga is. (east of central Sumatra), Belitung (east of southern Sumatra), Borneo, and Banggi (north of northeastern Borneo)
Quick facts
- Weight
- 21 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Pellorneidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The White-chested Babbler is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open forest, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The White-chested Babbler is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The White-chested Babbler (Pellorneum rostratum) is a species of bird in the Pellorneidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR Malay Pen., Sumatra, Riau and Lingga is. (e of c Sumatra), Belitung (e of s Sumatra), Borneo, and Banggi (n of ne Borneo).
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 21 g, with a wing length of about 7 cm and a tail of around 4.7 cm.
The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened. That means it is close to qualifying as threatened and is worth keeping a careful eye on.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the White-chested Babbler?
The White-chested Babbler is a small bird that weighs around 21 g.
Where does the White-chested Babbler live?
The White-chested Babbler is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR Malay Pen., Sumatra, Riau and Lingga is. (e of c Sumatra), Belitung (e of s Sumatra), Borneo, and Banggi (n of ne Borneo), where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the White-chested Babbler belong to?
The White-chested Babbler (Pellorneum rostratum) belongs to the Pellorneidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the White-chested Babbler eat?
The White-chested Babbler is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the White-chested Babbler migrate?
The White-chested Babbler is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the White-chested Babbler endangered?
The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened That means it is close to qualifying as threatened and is worth keeping a careful eye on.
What sound does the White-chested Babbler make?
1 real field recording of the White-chested Babbler — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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