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Long-billed Wren-Babbler Rimator malacoptilus: Ten years ago, nobody was seeing this in Bhutan,
or anywhere else, as the call was unknown. Since then there are regular sightings in one
small area near Yongkola, and we managed to entice one into view on several occasions
as he peered out at us from a thickly-vegetated bank on the Lingmethang Road like a
miniature Kiwi.
Scaly-breasted Wren-Babbler Pnoepyga albiventer: Of several heard singing at a variety of altitudes,
we saw a sneaky buff-throated example on the Pele La, and a white-scaled one on the
Yutong La that showed rather better.
Pygmy Wren-Babbler Pnoepyga pusilla: We actually managed to see the first one that we
encountered, along the Mo Chu, then few others were even heard.
Rufous-throated Wren-Babbler Spelaeornis caudatus: At least four individuals seen along the
Lingmethang Road, although usually mouse-like and furtive in the undergrowth. This east
Himalayan speciality ranges from east Nepal to Arunachal.
Spotted Wren-Babbler Spelaeornis formosus: Once we had got close enough to one singing
alongside the Mo Chu near Punakha, it performed extremely well. Many others were
heard at middle to lower altitudes as we travelled eastwards, however none of those
showed, even when we asked them too!
Rufous-capped Babbler Stachyris ruficeps: A few were seen along the way in middle altitude forest
although never commonly.
Golden Babbler Stachyris chrysaea: A handful were seen, along the Lingmethang Road and near
Morong.
Grey-throated Babbler Stachyris nigriceps: A great look at a vocal bird that jumped out of a thicket
near Samdrup Jongkhar.
Pin-striped Tit-Babbler Macronous gularis: A single was seen near Samdrup Jongkhar, where they
were also singing by our hotel. The name change reflects the split from the Bold-striped
Tit-Babbler M. bornensis in Borneo.
Jungle Babbler Turdoides striata (NL): Three seen by our Samdrup Jongkhar hotel.
Silver-eared Mesia Leiothrix argentauris: Once we reached their favoured habitat near Deothang
they proved to be rather common, noisy and showy.
Red-billed Leiothrix Leiothrix lutea: Often a real skulker, but a handful were seen along the
Lingmethang Road.
Rusty-fronted Barwing Actinodura egertoni: Our first ones appeared near Yongkola where they were
numerous on our last morning, then plenty were found in the warmer forests near
Morong and Deothang.
Hoary-throated Barwing Actinodura nipalensis: We had multiple encounters with this pleasant
fellow, from the Dochu La to the Kori La, typically favouring the higher altitude forest.
Blue-winged Minla Minla cyanouroptera: Seen on a few occasions along the Lingmethang Road,
and also in the Morong area.
Bar-throated Minla (Chestnut-tailed M) Minla strigula: Seen commonly at higher altitudes such as
around the Yutong La and the Sengor area.
Red-tailed Minla Minla ignotincta: This delightful bird was never common, with singles or pairs
seen on the Pele La, between Sengor and Yongkola, and also on the Kori La.
Golden-breasted Fulvetta Alcippe chrysotis: Always a personal favourite of mine, we found some
obliging examples in roadside bamboo near Yongkola, with some very close views
indeed!
Yellow-throated Fulvetta Alcippe cinerea: This Eastern Himalayan speciality was not uncommon
along the roadsides between Sengor and Yongkola, and often very confiding. We also
saw some near Morong.
Rufous-winged Fulvetta Alcippe castaneceps: Never numerous, we found some near the Pele La, in
the Sengor area and on the Kori La.
20 Birdquest: Bhutan 2012