Chinese Shortwing Brachypteryx sinensis Scientific name definitions

Hitherto treated as conspecific with B. montana (and with the other six species now separated from this “parent”), but differs from nearest-neighbour B. cruralis and B. goodfellowi in characters given under those species, and from the remaining species in characters it shares or part-shares with cruralis and goodfellowi, namely (in female) mid-brown plumage (3); pale brown eyering (2); and (in male) song type with a short song phrase-length (1) and distinctive pattern of introductory notes and warbled phrase (2) (1 Boesman, P. (2016). Notes on the vocalizations of White-browed Shortwing (Brachypteryx montana). HBW Alive Ornithological Note 322. In: Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. Close ). Monotypic.

C & SE China (S Shaanxi to N Guizhou, Guangxi, Guangdong and NW Fujian).

Typical song a short phrase with few notes, starting with a fairly short note on flat pitch and ending abrupty. Differs from song of B. cruralis in shorter phrase length and smaller number of notes (less warble). Call “tack”; hard rattle in alarm.

Nothing known. Details unlikely to differ significantly from those relating to B. cruralis (which see).

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). This species has a very large global range. Its population is believed to be decreasing, largely as a result of habitat loss and degradation, but the decline is thought not to be rapid enough to give cause for any great concern.