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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Pomatostomidae
  4. ›
  5. Pomatostomus
  6. ›
  7. Chestnut-crowned Babbler
Chestnut-crowned Babbler
Photo · PookieFugglestein

BirdUp · Species

Chestnut-crowned Babbler

Pomatostomus ruficeps(Hartlaub, 1852)

Updated 11 June 2026

Origin: Endemic
Order
PASSERIFORMES
Family
Pomatostomidae
Genus
Pomatostomus

At a glance

The Chestnut-crowned Babbler is a medium-sized bird, about 19–23 cm long, endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
19–23 cm
Origin
Endemic
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Endemic
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Voice
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Chestnut-crowned Babbler look like?

The Chestnut-crowned Babbler is a medium-sized bird, about 19–23 cm long and weighing 43–71 g.

The chestnut-crowned babbler is a medium-sized bird that is endemic to arid and semi-arid areas of south-eastern Australia. It is a member of the family Pomatostomidae, which comprises five species of Australo-Papuan babblers. All are boisterous and highly social, living in groups of up to 23 individuals that forage and breed communally. Other names include red-capped babbler, rufous-crowned babbler and chatterer.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
19–23 cm
Weight
43–71 g

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Chestnut-crowned Babbler?

The Chestnut-crowned Babbler is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

04 · Voice

What it sounds like

Call

Thomas Mesaglio · UNSW Fowlers Gap Arid Zone Research Station, New South Wales

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Chestnut-crowned Babbler eat?

The Chestnut-crowned Babbler feeds on seeds and terrestrial invertebrates, usually foraging in flocks.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

5 photos

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Chestnut-crowned Babbler live in Australia?

The Chestnut-crowned Babbler is endemic to Australia, recorded across 20 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingEast WA to south-west QLD and west NSW (east-central Australia)

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident
  • Vagrant

6 regions recorded