Pale-billed parrotbill facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pale-billed parrotbill
in Yingjiang County, Yunnan Province, China.
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Paradoxornithidae
Genus:	Suthora
Species:	S. atrosuperciliaris
Binomial name
Suthora atrosuperciliaris (Godwin-Austen, 1877)
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Synonyms
Paradoxornis atrosuperciliaris Chleuasicus atrosuperciliaris

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Illustration of the pale-billed parrotbill

The Pale-billed Parrotbill is a small, round bird with a short tail. It was first discovered in China, where it still lives today. You can find it in evergreen forests or places with lots of bamboo. Its scientific name is Suthora atrosuperciliaris, though it was once known as Chleuasicus atrosuperciliaris.

Identifying the Pale-billed Parrotbill

The Pale-billed Parrotbill is usually about 14 to 15 centimeters tall. You can spot them by their round shape, short tail, and unique colors. They have bright orange feathers that stick up near their head. A bluish ring surrounds their eyes. Their eyes are often bright brown or reddish-brown.

Body Colors and Features

Their bodies are a pale, light brown color. Their upper wings are a dark brownish-black. The inner edges of their flight feathers have a reddish-brown fringe. Other key features include a pinkish bill and a dark brown tail.

Young Birds and Differences

It can be hard to tell male and female Pale-billed Parrotbills apart. They look very similar to each other. Young parrotbills have duller colors than adults. Their feathers are also softer, making them look even rounder.

Where Pale-billed Parrotbills Live

You can find the Pale-billed Parrotbill near bamboo or in evergreen forests. They prefer areas with tall grass. These birds live at different heights, from 215 to 2100 meters above sea level.

Global Locations

They are often seen in many countries. These include Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand. They live in warm, wet lowland areas. Sometimes, they fly to lower altitudes. This helps them escape cold weather during certain times of the year.

Conservation Status

The Pale-billed Parrotbill is listed as a "least concern" species. This means they are not currently threatened globally. Their numbers are stable for now.

Future Concerns

Even though they are not threatened, there is still a risk. Deforestation, which is cutting down forests, can destroy their homes. If too much of their habitat is lost, they might become a threatened species in the future.

The Parrotbill's Call

Pale-billed Parrotbills have a simple and repeated call. They make sharp chirping noises. These chirps come out quickly and at different speeds.

Communication in Groups

When these birds are in a flock, they create many sounds together. This "symphony" of calls helps them communicate. It makes it easier for the birds to stay connected. This is very helpful in a dense forest.

What Pale-billed Parrotbills Eat

The Pale-billed Parrotbill is an omnivore. This means they eat both plants and animals. Their diet includes small seeds, fruits, and nectar. They also eat insects like beetles and grasshoppers. Spiders are another part of their diet.

Foraging Habits

These birds usually search for food in groups. A group can have 6 to 12 birds. They are often seen hanging upside down while they look for food. Foraging in groups helps them find food more easily and efficiently.

Reproduction and Nests

In India, the breeding season for the Pale-billed Parrotbill is from April to July. They build their nests using grass, bark, and bamboo. The inside of the nest is lined with grass stems and small pieces of tree bark.

Egg Laying

They lay their eggs close to the ground, usually within 2 meters. Nests are often found among groups of twigs. These twigs grow from bamboo stems or are attached to reeds.