Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010) and decreasing.
Status DD
Known from a single specimen. Habitat destruction through logging, drought and fire seem to be the main threats.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Black-browed Babbler (Malacocincla perspicillata) [XC861273]
by Panji Gusti Akbar from , Indonesia (subsong)
Black-browed Babbler (Malacocincla perspicillata) [XC722837]
by Panji Gusti Akbar from , Indonesia (duet, subsong)
Subspecies
Previously thought to be a local subspecies of Horsfield's Babbler (Malacocincla sepiaria) or to be conspecific with equally enigmatic (and now discredited) Vanderbilt's Babbler (Malacocincla vanderbilti), but now considered a valid species.
No subspecies.
Similar Species
Short-tailed Babbler (Trichastoma malaccense) which is smaller with shorter tail, Abbott's Babbler (Malacocincla abbotti) which is also smaller and lacks black brow.
References
See References.