Puff-throated Babbler

The puff-throated babbler, or spotted babbler, is found in scrub and moist forest mainly in hilly regions of Asia, and is a common resident breeder in the Himalayas. It is brown above and white below, with heavy brown streaks towards the breast and belly; the white throat is sometimes puffed out, giving the English name. Many regional forms are named, with mandellii in the east, streaked on the back and nape (Wikipedia, general species account).

They forage in small groups on the forest floor, turning over leaf litter to find prey and usually staying low in the undergrowth, where they can be hard to spot; at first glance one can look like a song thrush. They have loud, distinct calls including a morning song, contact and alarm calls. The clutch is two to five eggs, with northern populations tending towards larger clutches.