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Difference between revisions of "White-rumped Babbler" - BirdForum Opus

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(Imp sizes. Picture of subspecies. Links. References updated)
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;[[:Category:Turdoides|Turdoides]] leucopygia
 
;[[:Category:Turdoides|Turdoides]] leucopygia
 
==Identification==
 
==Identification==
25 - 27cm. A medium-sized ''Turdoides''-babbler with a rather variable plumage.
+
25 - 27cm (9¾-10¾ in). A medium-sized ''Turdoides''-babbler with a rather variable plumage.
 
* Cold grey-brown plumage
 
* Cold grey-brown plumage
 
* Scaly breast
 
* Scaly breast
Line 18: Line 18:
 
Frequent to common in most of its range.
 
Frequent to common in most of its range.
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==Taxonomy==
Five subspecies usually accepted:
+
May form a [[Dictionary_P-S#S|superspecies]] with [[Hartlaub's Babbler]], [[Black-faced Babbler]] and [[Sharpe's Babbler]].<br />
 +
The scientific name has been spelled ''Turdoides leucopygi'''us''''' in the past.
 +
====Subspecies====
 +
Five subspecies usually accepted<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>:
 
* ''T. l. leucopygia'' in central [[Eritrea]] and adjacent [[Ethiopia]]
 
* ''T. l. leucopygia'' in central [[Eritrea]] and adjacent [[Ethiopia]]
 
* ''T. l. limbata'' in southwest [[Eritrea]], adjacent eastern [[Sudan]] and to central [[Ethiopia]]
 
* ''T. l. limbata'' in southwest [[Eritrea]], adjacent eastern [[Sudan]] and to central [[Ethiopia]]
Line 24: Line 27:
 
* ''T. l. lacuum'' in south-central [[Ethiopia]]
 
* ''T. l. lacuum'' in south-central [[Ethiopia]]
 
* ''T. l. omoensis'' in southeast [[Sudan]] and adjacent [[Ethiopia]]
 
* ''T. l. omoensis'' in southeast [[Sudan]] and adjacent [[Ethiopia]]
 +
 
Proposed ''clarkei'' usually merged with ''omoensis''.<br />
 
Proposed ''clarkei'' usually merged with ''omoensis''.<br />
May form a superspecies with [[Hartlaub's Babbler]], [[Black-faced Babbler]] and [[Sharpe's Babbler]].<br />
+
 
The scientific name has been spelled ''Turdoides leucopygi'''us''''' in the past.
 
 
==Habitat==
 
==Habitat==
 +
[[Image:DSC 3578.JPG|thumb|350px|right|Subspecies smithii<br />Photo by {{user|volker+sthamer|volker sthamer}}<br />Langano, [[Ethiopia]], March 2016]]
 
Stony terrain in hilly areas with light woodland. Also thick scrub, dense second growth bordering evergreen forest, trees along rivers, scattered thickets, reedbeds and farmbush. Generally between 1250m and 2450m, lower in [[Eritrea]].
 
Stony terrain in hilly areas with light woodland. Also thick scrub, dense second growth bordering evergreen forest, trees along rivers, scattered thickets, reedbeds and farmbush. Generally between 1250m and 2450m, lower in [[Eritrea]].
 
==Behaviour==
 
==Behaviour==
Resident species.
 
 
====Diet====
 
====Diet====
 
No information about diet, probably mainly invertebrates, berries and seeds.<br />
 
No information about diet, probably mainly invertebrates, berries and seeds.<br />
 
Usually seen in family parties of 6 - 8 birds. Forages largely on the ground, keeping inside cover.
 
Usually seen in family parties of 6 - 8 birds. Forages largely on the ground, keeping inside cover.
 
====Breeding====
 
====Breeding====
Breeding season August in [[Somalia]], November to December and February to June in [[Ethiopia]]. The nest is a untidy large cup made of rootlets, grass, twigs and leaves. It's placed in a thick bush or in a tree fork. Lays 2 - 4 turquoise blue eggs.<br />
+
Breeding season August in [[Somalia]], November to December and February to June in [[Ethiopia]]. The nest is a untidy large cup made of rootlets, grass, twigs and leaves. It's placed in a thick bush or in a tree fork. Lays 2 - 4 turquoise blue eggs.
 +
====Movements====
 +
Resident species.
 
==References==
 
==References==
#{{Ref-Clements6thDec08}}#{{Ref-HBWVol12}}
+
#{{Ref-Clements6thAug16}}#{{Ref-HBWVol12}}
 
{{ref}}
 
{{ref}}
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==

Revision as of 23:28, 30 October 2016

Alternative names: Northern White-rumped Babbler; Abyssinian Babbler

Photo by michha62
Wondo Genet, Ethiopia, November 2008
Turdoides leucopygia

Identification

25 - 27cm (9¾-10¾ in). A medium-sized Turdoides-babbler with a rather variable plumage.

  • Cold grey-brown plumage
  • Scaly breast
  • White lower belly and white rump
  • Face and chin whitish
  • Red eye with yellow inner ring
  • Black bill
  • Slaty grey legs

Juveniles are duller with a brownish crown.

Photo by Solomon
Outskirts of Asmara, Eritrea, November 2005

Distribution

Eastern Africa: found in Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.

Frequent to common in most of its range.

Taxonomy

May form a superspecies with Hartlaub's Babbler, Black-faced Babbler and Sharpe's Babbler.
The scientific name has been spelled Turdoides leucopygius in the past.

Subspecies

Five subspecies usually accepted[1]:

Proposed clarkei usually merged with omoensis.

Habitat

Subspecies smithii
Photo by volker sthamer
Langano, Ethiopia, March 2016

Stony terrain in hilly areas with light woodland. Also thick scrub, dense second growth bordering evergreen forest, trees along rivers, scattered thickets, reedbeds and farmbush. Generally between 1250m and 2450m, lower in Eritrea.

Behaviour

Diet

No information about diet, probably mainly invertebrates, berries and seeds.
Usually seen in family parties of 6 - 8 birds. Forages largely on the ground, keeping inside cover.

Breeding

Breeding season August in Somalia, November to December and February to June in Ethiopia. The nest is a untidy large cup made of rootlets, grass, twigs and leaves. It's placed in a thick bush or in a tree fork. Lays 2 - 4 turquoise blue eggs.

Movements

Resident species.

References

  1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2016. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2016, with updates to August 2016. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
  2. 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

Recommended Citation

External Links

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