The Puff-throated Babbler, Pellorneum ruficeps, is a passerine bird. It is also called as Spotted Babbler. Pellorneum ruficeps is the type species of its genus. There are some hints that Pellorneum may consist of several lineages (Jønsson & Fjeldså 2006). If the genus would be split into two or more, the Puff-throated Babbler and its closest relatives would remain in Pellorneum.

This bird is a common resident breeder in the Himalayas and the hills of India and parts of southeast Asia. Like most babblers, it is not migratory, and has short rounded wings and a weak flight. Its habitat is scrub and bamboo thickets, where it builds its nest on the ground, laying 2-5 eggs.

Puff-throated Babblers are plain brown above, and white, heavily streaked with brown, below. They have a chestnut crown, long buff supercilium and dusky cheeks. The throat is white, and the bird's habit of puffing it out gives it its English name. Puff-throated Babblers have strong legs, and are quite terrestrial. They can often be seen creeping through undergrowth in search of their insect food, looking at first glance like a Song Thrush.

Call Call of Puff-throated Babbler recorded in Nagerhole Problems listening to this file? See media help. Call Calls recorded at Nandi Hills, India Problems listening to this file? See media help.