Babblers (Timaliidae)

Sooty Babbler (Stachyris herberti) - HBW 12, p. 158

French: Timalie de Herbert German: Laosbuschtimalie Spanish: Timalí de Herbert
Other common names: Laos Dusky Babbler

Taxonomy: Nigravis herberti Stuart Baker, 1920, Ban Sao, Thailand; error = Ban Lak Sao (18º11¢N, 104º58¢ E), Laos.
Somewhat different in plumage from congeners, and sometimes placed in a genus of its own, Nigravis, but general consensus is that such treatment is unnecessary. A recently discovered babbler (with white-spangled breast and white rear ear-coverts) from S China may represent a well-marked race of present species or a new but closely related species. Monotypic.

Distribution: C Laos and C Vietnam (C Annam).