Nepal Cupwing

Pnoepyga immaculata

Cupwings · Passeriformes · Rare

The Nepal Cupwing (Pnoepyga immaculata) is a rare cupwing found in 3 countries, weighing about 21 g. The Nepal cupwing (Pnoepyga immaculata), also known as the Nepal wren-babbler or immaculate cupwing, is a small species of passerine bird in the family Pnoepygidae.

Least ConcernRareEats invertebratesforest21 g

About the Nepal Cupwing

The Nepal cupwing (Pnoepyga immaculata), also known as the Nepal wren-babbler or immaculate cupwing, is a small species of passerine bird in the family Pnoepygidae. It is native to Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Tibet, and Nepal. It is found in dense montane forest in the Himalayas.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

How to identify it

The Nepal cupwing is small, measuring 8.5cm—10cm in length, and is brownish-olive in colouration. It has dark scaling on the upperparts and paler scaling on the underparts, a scaly breast with brown central feathers, pale edging on the flight feathers, and a very short tail. External morphology is very similar to the other species, to a degree where identification within the field relies upon vocalizations. The song is distinctive, being higher pitched than the other species in the genus and consisting of a steady series of thin, short, rapid, modulated whistles that descend in pitch.

Where it lives

When to see it

Best months: January, February, March, April, October, November, December, with peak activity in November. It is a winter visitor species across most of its range.

Easily confused with

Quick questions

How do you identify a Nepal Cupwing?
The Nepal cupwing is small, measuring 8.5cm—10cm in length, and is brownish-olive in colouration. Full identification notes are on this page.
How big is a Nepal Cupwing?
The Nepal Cupwing is a small sized bird weighing about 21 g.
Where can you see a Nepal Cupwing?
The Nepal Cupwing occurs in 3 countries, including India, Nepal and China.
What birds look similar to a Nepal Cupwing?
The Nepal Cupwing is most easily confused with the Scaly-breasted Cupwing, the Taiwan Cupwing and the Pygmy Cupwing.
Is the Nepal Cupwing endangered?
The Nepal Cupwing is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Learn the Nepal Cupwing for real

BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.

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