Puff-throated Babbler (Pellorneum ruficeps) झाड़ी फुतकी

Puff-throated Babbler (Pellorneum ruficeps) झाड़ी फुतकी - Birds Around Me 0267

- December 26, 2025

The Puff-throated Babbler, known in Hindi as झाड़ी फुतकी, is a charming little bird of India’s forests and scrublands. Its secretive nature and distinctive puffed throat display make it a fascinating member of the babbler family.

Puff-throated Babbler (Pellorneum ruficeps) झाड़ी फुतकी
Jabalpur, April 2025

This small bird measures about 16–18 cm in length. It has warm brown upperparts, a chestnut crown, and a buff eyebrow stripe that gives it a gentle expression. The underparts are whitish with bold streaks, and the throat is pure white—often puffed out when calling, which gives the species its English name. Its plumage blends perfectly with leaf litter and undergrowth, making it hard to spot.

Puff-throated Babbler (Pellorneum ruficeps) झाड़ी फुतकी
Jabalpur, April 2025

The Puff-throated Babbler is widely distributed across India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Southeast Asia. In India, it is found in scrub, moist forests, bamboo thickets, and hilly regions, especially in the Western Ghats and Himalayan foothills. It prefers dense undergrowth and forest floors, where it forages quietly.

Puff-throated Babbler (Pellorneum ruficeps) झाड़ी फुतकी
Jabalpur, April 2025

This babbler is highly secretive, usually staying low in bushes or leaf litter. It forages in small groups, turning leaves to find insects, spiders, and small invertebrates. Its calls are loud and varied—ranging from sharp notes to melodious whistles. During the breeding season, its puffed throat display is particularly noticeable. Despite being common, it is more often heard than seen.

Hindi Name of Indian vulture or long-billed vulture (Gyps indicus): देशी गिद्ध

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Ashutosh Jhureley @BirdsAroundMe