Animalia Life

Tesia olivea
SUBFAMILY
Sylviinae
TAXONOMY
Tesia olivea McClelland, 1840.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
English: Slaty-bellied ground warbler; French: Tй а ventre ardoise; German: Goldscheiteltesia; Spanish: Trinador de Vientre Pizarro.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
3.5–4 in (9–10 cm); 0.2–0.3 oz (6–9 g). Characterized by an exceptionally short tail with 10 rectrices, a large head, rounded wings, long legs, and a more or less upright posture.
DISTRIBUTION
From south Central Asia through lower Himalayas and Nepal to south China, south to northwest Thailand, north Laos, and North Vietnam.
HABITAT
Damp areas and stream courses in evergreen forests; usually 3,280–8,860 ft (1,000–2,700 m).
BEHAVIOR
Keeps to dense cover near the ground. It is skulking, but readily approaches to investigate and scold an intruder. Apparently non-migratory, but descends to lower elevations in winter. Voice a ventriloquial tchirik-tchirik.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Forages in litter on the forest floor for insects and spiders.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Little known. Pairs frequently observed.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
None known.

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