About Dumetia hyperythra (Franklin, 1831)
Species Naming and Size
The tawny-bellied babbler, with the scientific name Dumetia hyperythra (Franklin, 1831), is a small babbler that measures 13 cm long including its long round-tipped tail. The outer tail feathers are approximately half the length of the central tail feather.
General Plumage
Its upperparts are dark brown, while its underparts are orange-buff, and it has a rufous grey crown. The feathers on its forehead are stiff; its tail is olive brown overall and marked with cross bars.
Peninsular India and Sri Lanka Adult Traits
For adult tawny-bellied babblers from populations in peninsular India and Sri Lanka, the throat is white. The Sri Lankan population differs in having a larger, heavier beak and paler underparts.
Mt. Abu Population Traits
The population found on Mt. Abu is white-throated, with chestnut feathers covering the crown that have pale shafts, giving the bird a capped appearance – unlike other populations where chestnut color is only present on the forehead.
Mt. Abu Subspecies Classification
This Mt. Abu population has been proposed as the subspecies abuensis, but it is more often included in the subspecies albogularis. Another variant form, first described from the Khandala Ghats as navarroi, is also usually included within the range of variation of albogularis.
Species Distribution
The tawny-bellied babbler is distributed from Nepal and north-central India through to Sri Lanka. All populations in India intergrade with one another, and there are no disjunct distributions.
Habitat
Its natural habitat is scrub and tall grassland.
Sri Lanka Elevational Range
In Sri Lanka, it occurs in hills up to around 1500 m above sea level.
