Sri Lanka Scimitar-Babbler

A striking babbler, with a long, bright yellow-orange downcurved bill, bold white eyebrow, deep chestnut upperparts, and clean white underparts. Inhabits the understory of forested areas and nearby scrub in both the lowlands and mountains, where typically encountered in pairs, and often moving with mixed species flocks. Distinctive song comprised of staccato “yee-doo-doo-doo” notes, sometimes given in duet with the second bird uttering a strident “ker-trick”.

The Sri Lanka Scimitar-Babbler (Pomatorhinus melanurus) is a bird that inhabits the understory of forests and scrub in the lowlands and mountains of Sri Lanka. They are commonly found in pairs, and sometimes move in mixed species flocks.

The Sri Lanka Scimitar-Babbler (Pomatorhinus melanurus) is believed to eat invertebrates. It forages for food in a variety of ways, including: On the ground: The Sri Lanka Scimitar-Babbler searches the ground for food. On low branches: The Sri Lanka Scimitar-Babbler forages on low branches of trees. On vertical trunks: The Sri Lanka Scimitar-Babbler forages on vertical trunks of trees. On large limbs: The Sri Lanka Scimitar-Babbler forages on large limbs of trees, working its way upwards like a woodpecker.