Black-headed Sibia

The black-headed sibia (Heterophasia desgodinsi) is a bird species in the family Leiothrichidae. In former times it was often included with the dark-backed sibia in H. melanoleuca. Together with most other sibias, it is sometimes separated in the genus Malacias. It is found in China, Laos and Vietnam. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. Heterophasia desgodinsi is the scientific name used by the project species list. (Wikipedia, general species account).

Babblers and their close allies are typically active passerines of forest, scrub or dense undergrowth. Many move in pairs, family parties or mixed-species flocks while searching foliage, bark and leaf litter for invertebrates, sometimes supplementing them with fruit or seeds. Voice and social behaviour are often valuable identification clues. These statements provide family-level context and are not Vietnam-specific breeding measurements (general babbler ecology).