Rufous Babbler

The Rufous Babbler, known scientifically as Argya subrufa, is a bird endemic to the Western Ghats of southern India. It is a member of the Leiothrichidae family. This species is characterized by its dark brown and long-tailed appearance, often seen foraging in noisy groups.

Identification Tips

Adult Rufous Babblers are large, with an olive brown coloration on the upper parts and a grey forehead. Their wing feathers exhibit a rufous tinge, while the feathers on the forehead have distinctive black shafts. The bird's iris ranges from pale white to yellow, and it has dark lores. The underside is a bright rufous, becoming paler at the centre of the throat and belly. They measure 25–26 cm in length, with a wing span of 8.7-9.0 cm and a tail length of approximately 11–11.5 cm.

Habitat

The Rufous Babbler is typically found in open forests, scrublands, or grassy hillsides. It prefers areas close to the ground, which are conducive to its feeding habits.

Distribution

This species is distributed along the Western Ghats, from south of Mahabaleshwar down to the Palni hills, and eastward into the Shevaroy hills.

Behaviour

Rufous Babblers are social birds, often seen in groups. They are ground feeders, consuming insects and berries, but they also forage in trees.

Song & Calls

The Rufous Babbler is known for its loud and ringing "treenh-treenh" call, which can be heard near their roosting sites.

Breeding

The breeding season for the Rufous Babbler extends from February to November. They build small cup-shaped nests in the forks of trees. The clutch typically consists of two to four eggs, but most commonly three, which are a dark glossy blue in colour.

Diet and Feeding

Rufous Babblers feed on insects and berries, foraging mainly close to the ground but also utilizing trees.

Conservation status

The Rufous Babbler is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it is not currently at significant risk of extinction.