Pomatorhinus musicus Swinhoe, 1859

Scientific Name

Pomatorhinus musicus Swinhoe, 1859

Size Measurements

The Taiwan scimitar babbler is a small scimitar babbler, measuring 16–21 cm in length and weighing approximately 40 g.

Plumage Features

Its upperparts are dark grey-brown. Its underparts have white coloration on the throat and upper breast, with strong rusty brown or greyish streaks extending from the lower throat that become blackish on the flanks.

Head Markings

Its head features a broad black facial mask, a black bridle, a chestnut brown neck, a white eyebrow line, and black eyes.

Taxonomic History

This species was previously considered conspecific with the similar streak-breasted scimitar babbler, but can be distinguished by several traits.

Bill and Crown Traits

It is slightly larger in size, with a proportionally longer bill that has a completely dark upper half. Its crown is dark greyish rather than brown, and its neck has a deeper, broader chestnut brown color.

Underpart Differentiation

The belly and flanks also show heavy chestnut brown tinging that is visible on this species.