Pale-billed Parrotbill

The pale-billed parrotbill is a small, round bird with a short tail, first found in China, where it still lives in evergreen forests or bamboo habitats. It is about 14 to 15cm, recognisable by its plump appearance and short tail, pale buff body, blackish-brown upper wing with rufous-buff inner fringes to the flight feathers, a pinkish bill and a dark brown tail (Wikipedia, general species account).

It is often recorded in Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand. It is an omnivore feeding on small seeds, fruits, nectar, beetles, grasshoppers and spiders, and is found in groups of six to twelve, often hanging upside down while foraging. The call is simple and repetitive, helping flock members stay in contact in dense forest. Eggs are laid within 2m of the ground, among twigs at bamboo nodes or on reeds.