From Opus

Photo by Trevor Hardaker
Ankober, Ethiopia, April 2009

Alternative names: Abyssinian Babbler; Juniper Babbler

Parophasma galinieri

[edit] Identification

A dull grey babbler-like passerine (17-19 cm):

• Dirty grey plumage
• White forehead
• Black lores
• Rufous-chestnut vent

Sexes similar, juveniles are generally paler.

[edit] Distribution

Endemic to the highlands of Ethiopia.
Fairly common in parts of its range.¹

[edit] Taxonomy

Monotypic.^{1, 2}

Uncertain affinities. May be close to Bush Blackcap or the Mountain-Babblers. Now thought to belong to the Old World Warblers, not the Babblers.

[edit] Habitat

Dense thickets, giant heather, juniper woodland, highland bamboo, olive trees, well-wooded gardens. Often in steep-sided valleys or ravines. Found between 2440m and 3655m.¹

[edit] Behaviour

Feeds on juniper berries and other fruit.

Usually seen in pairs or small groups of up to 8 birds. Keeps in vegetation. Fine singer.

Breeding season from January to July. The nest is a thin cup made of fine plant stems and placed on top of some small branches, about 5m above the ground. Lays 2 eggs.

Resident species.¹

[edit] References

1. Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2007. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 12: Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553422
2. Clements, JF. 2007. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2007. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019

• List of references

[edit] External Links

• View more images of this species on African Bird Images Database