Chestnut-crowned Babbler

1. Chestnut crown with bold white eyebrow and throat

2. Two clear white wingbars on brown-grey wings

3. Seen in active, noisy family groups

Chestnut-crowned Babblers are obligate cooperative breeders, meaning breeding pairs are always assisted by “helper” birds from the group. Their breeding season runs mainly from July to November, with egg-laying peaking in August and September. Females lay clutches of about 4 eggs, which are incubated solely by the female for around 2 days. The entire group helps build the large, dome-shaped nest, and all members contribute to feeding the young. These birds forage for insects, spiders, small reptiles, and seeds, spending much of the day searching through leaf litter and bark crevices.

Look for Chestnut-crowned Babblers in the dry woodlands, mulga, mallee, and acacia scrubs of inland southeastern Australia, including western New South Wales, southwestern Queensland, eastern South Australia, and northwestern Victoria. They prefer open habitats with scattered trees and shrubs, often near drainage lines or watercourses. These birds are most often observed hopping on the ground or through low shrubs, usually in groups ranging from 3 to 23 individuals.