Brown-cheeked fulvetta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brown-cheeked fulvetta |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Alcippe
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| Species: |
poioicephala
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The brown-cheeked fulvetta (Alcippe poioicephala) is a small, shy bird found in parts of Asia. It's also sometimes called the brown-cheeked alcippe. This bird belongs to a special family called Alcippeidae. It used to be known as the quaker babbler.
These birds are not closely related to the "true" fulvettas. Scientists grouped many different birds together before. Now, they know that some of these birds, like the brown-cheeked fulvetta, are quite unique. Its closest bird relatives might be the brown fulvetta and the black-browed fulvetta.
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Where Do Brown-Cheeked Fulvettas Live?
The brown-cheeked fulvetta lives in Bangladesh, India, and across Southeast Asia. It prefers to live in the thick undergrowth of moist forests and scrub jungles. These birds do not migrate long distances. They have short, rounded wings, which means they are not very strong flyers.
What Do They Look Like?
This bird is about 15 cm long, including its tail. It has a brown back and a buff-colored belly. Its body and wings don't have any special patterns. The top of its head is grey, and its cheeks are dark. Brown-cheeked fulvettas have short, dark beaks.
What Do They Eat?
Brown-cheeked fulvettas mainly eat insects. They also enjoy drinking nectar from flowers. These birds can be hard to spot because they like to hide in dense plants. However, they are very vocal! Their unique calls are often the best way to know they are nearby.
Building a Home: Nesting Habits
Brown-cheeked fulvettas build their nests from January to June. The busiest time for nesting is usually in January and February. They build their nests in trees, hidden away in thick leaves.
Their nest is shaped like a cup. They build it using green moss, small roots, lichen, leaves, and grass. They line the inside with soft rootlets. Nests are often placed in a fork of branches or hung from twigs. They are usually built very low to the ground, about 68 cm high.
A female brown-cheeked fulvetta usually lays two or three eggs. The eggs hatch after about 10 days. The baby birds stay in the nest for about 12 days before they are ready to fly.
These birds are very careful about where they build their nests. They often choose plants like Lasianthus ciliatus, Saprosma fragrans, and Thottea siliquosa. They like to place their nests close to the main stem of the plant. They choose spots that are well hidden by dense plants and have good canopy cover. This helps keep their eggs and babies safe from predators.
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