Hall's Babbler - profile

Indicative distribution

Loading map...

Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Pomatostomus halli

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Profile last updated: 20 Dec 2023

Description

A dark blackish brown babbler with a long and very broad brow line, conspicuous white bib and tail-tip. Superficially like the White-browed Babbler, it was only recognised as a separate species during the 1960s. Compared with the White-browed Babbler it has a wider white brow, with a black mask through a dark eye and the white bib has more sharply defined edge.

Distribution

It occurs in central-eastern Australia, from Cobar north into south-western Queensland, particularly along or west of the Warrego River. These birds have been recorded from the White Cliffs area through to the Culgoa River, Nocoleche Nature Reserve, Sturt National Park and Mutawintji National Park. Recently recorded in Mulga groves near Ledknapper Creek (1993) and near Mt Gunderbooka (1994).

Habitat and ecology

Inhabits dry Acacia scrub, mainly Mulga, with a grassy understorey including spinifex, on ridges and plains with either sandy or stony soils. Occasionally occurs in open dry Eucalyptus (Bimblebox) woodland, and mulga- or eucalypt-lined watercourses.
Hall’s Babblers construct neat spherical dome nests, each with a side entrance, from twigs within the outer branches of acacias, in the upright forks of mulgas and Casuarina, or in a horizontal eucalypt branch 3-10 m above the ground. Probably sedentary, maintaining home ranges of up to several hectares which contain a clump of roosting nests, each securely attached to small branches just inside the foliage, 3-7 m above the ground. Appear to occur in very localised patches.
These noisy birds are frequently observed in flocks of up to 20 individuals.
These birds feed mostly on the ground in grassy areas, they also glean and probe on trunks and branches. Diet includes insects (especially beetle pupae and caterpillars), spiders and seeds.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation of mulga habitat due to inappropriate land use on private property.
Grazing - by introduced herbivores may alter the ground habitat and indirectly affect feeding opportunities for Hall’s Babblers.
Predation of fledglings by feral cats and foxes
Anthropogenic climate change is a significant medium- to long-term threat, including increasing frequency of prolonged drought periods, frequent or intense fire altering habitat characteristics and suitability, and increased incidence and duration of heat waves.
Overgrazing and browsing from feral goats modifying species habitat by simplifying vegetation structure and reducing regeneration and recruitment.

Recovery strategies

Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological community. The Office of Environment and Heritage has identified 14 priority actions to help recover the Hall's Babbler in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Reduce stock intensity of, or exclude grazing in, some areas to allow regeneration of vegetation for habitat, such as food sources or nest sites, for this species.
Retention of grasslands, including the full cycle of grass development such a seed set and tussock formation.
Retention of understorey shrubs continuing their complete life cycle.
Prevent clearing of habitat such as nesting sites and food sources.
Control feral goats, rabbits, foxes and cats.

Information sources

Barker, R.D. and Vestjens, W.J.M. (1989) The Food of Australian Birds Volume 1: Non-Passerines. (CSIRO Division of Wildlife and Ecology)
Brown, J.L. and Balda, R.P. (1977) The relationship of habitat quality to group size in Hall’s Babbler (Pomatostomus halli). The Condor. 79: 312-20.
Hooper, H.L.N. (1974) Hall’s Babbler in New South Wales. Australian Bird Watcher. September 1974: 195-7.
Schodde, R. and Tidemann, S.C. (1988) Complete Book of Australian Birds. Second edition. (Reader's Digest, Sydney)
Slater, P., Slater, P. and Slater, R. (1993) The Slater Field Guide to Australian Birds (revised edition). (Lansdowne, Sydney)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Brigalow Belt South	Moonie-Barwon Interfluve	Predicted	None
Brigalow Belt South	Narrandool	Predicted	None
Broken Hill Complex	Barrier Range	Known	None
Broken Hill Complex	Barrier Range Outwash	Predicted	None
Broken Hill Complex	Mootwingee Downs	Known	None
Broken Hill Complex	Scopes Range	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Bulloo	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Bulloo Dunefields	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Central Depression	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Core Ranges	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Sturt Stony Desert	Known	None
Cobar Peneplain	Barnato Downs	Known	None
Cobar Peneplain	Boorindal Plains	Known	None
Cobar Peneplain	Canbelego Downs	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Bogan-Macquarie	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Castlereagh-Barwon	Predicted	West of Brewarrina
Darling Riverine Plains	Culgoa-Bokhara	Predicted	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Louth Plains	Predicted	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Menindee	Predicted	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Warrambool-Moonie	Predicted	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Wilcannia Plains	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Cuttaburra-Paroo	Known	None
Mulga Lands	Kerribree Basin	Known	None
Mulga Lands	Nebine Plains	Known	None
Mulga Lands	Paroo Overflow	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Paroo-Darling Sands	Known	None
Mulga Lands	Urisino Sandplains	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Warrego Plains	Known	None
Mulga Lands	Warrego Sands	Known	None
Mulga Lands	West Warrego	Known	None
Mulga Lands	White Cliffs Plateau	Known	None
Murray Darling Depression	Darling Depression	Predicted	None
Other State	QLD	Known	None
Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields	Strzelecki Desert	Predicted	None

Sounds

Images

Hall's Babbler
Enlarge image

Nature conservation

Threatened species