Least Concern

A small, ground-dwelling babbler about 16–18 cm long. It has a rufous crown, white throat puffed out when calling, streaked brown upperparts, and pale underparts with dark streaking on the breast.

Resident species, non-migratory throughout its range.

— (Non-migratory)

Mainly March to July in India. Builds a domed nest of leaves and roots on or near the ground, often well concealed in undergrowth.

Forest undergrowth, bamboo thickets, and scrubby hillsides. Prefers shaded, humid areas with leaf litter.

Found in moist and dry forests, dense undergrowth, and secondary vegetation. Common in the foothills and plains of India, often detected by its loud, musical calls.

Feeds mostly on insects, small invertebrates, and larvae, foraged from leaf litter and ground vegetation.