Rufous Babbler

Overview

The rufous babbler (Argya subrufa) is an endemic species of bird found in the Western Ghats of southern India. It belongs to the family Leiothrichidae and is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Large and dark olive brown above with a grey forehead and wing feathers that have a rufous tinge.
• Bright rufous underside, which is paler on the centre of the throat and belly.
• Long tail measuring approximately 11–11.5 cm, with a total body length of 25–26 cm.
• Loud ringing treenh-treenh call.
• Forehead feathers possess black shafts, and the iris ranges from pale white to yellow.

Habitat

Found in the Western Ghats of southern India, ranging from south of Mahabaleshwar to the Palni hills and east into the Shevaroy hills. The species inhabits open forest, scrub, or grassy hillsides, typically staying close to the ground but also utilising trees.

Diet

Feeds on insects and berries, usually foraging in noisy groups along open hillsides that contain a mixture of grass, bracken, and forest.

Did you know?

Formerly classified within the genus Turdoides, the species was moved to the resurrected genus Argya following a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic study published in 2018.