- Turdoides huttoni
Identification
23cm.
- Very long-tailed Babbler
- Slender, slightly downcurved bill
- Dark eyes
- Dark streaks on pale grey upperparts
- Unmarked pale underparts
Confusion species
Iraq Babbler in Iraq and western Iran is less streaked. Striated Babbler in northern India and Pakistan has a dark throat.
Distribution
Found in southwest Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq.
Resident.
Taxonomy
Two subspecies accepted:
- T. h. huttoni in southwest Pakistan, Afghanistan and southeast Iran
- T. h. salvadorii in Iran and Iraq
Formerly considered conspecific with Common Babbler.
This species is also sometimes placed in genus Argya.
Habitat
Dry open scrubland, semi-deserts, thorn-scrub, sandy floodplains and rocky hills.
Behaviour
Feeds mainly on insects but takes also grains, berries and nectar. Forages in noisy groups of 6 - 7 birds but groups can be bigger. In Iraq and Iran mixed flocks with Iraq Babbler occur.
Breeding season all year. May breed several times a year. Co-operative breeder with complex family structures. The nest is a neat, deep cup, made of grasses and placed in a bush or a small tree. Lays 3 - 5 eggs.
References
- 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
- Rasmussen, PC and JC Anderton. 2005. Birds of South Asia: The Ripley Guide. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8487334672
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2013. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.8., with updates to August 2013. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Afghan Babbler. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 25 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Afghan_Babbler
