Sylviid Babblers

The Sylviidae family, consisting of typical warblers and some babblers, can be found across Eurasia and Africa. Originally introduced by English zoologist William Elford Leach in 1820, this group has undergone significant taxonomic changes over time, especially with the advancement of molecular data. The family was part of the overly broad Old World warblers but is now recognized to be closer to the Old World babblers. In 2011, a genetic study led to the division of the Sylvia genus, with most species being moved to the revived genus Curruca, although this change is not universally accepted. The family, as cataloged by the IOC, includes 34 species split into two genera: Sylvia and Curruca, with species like Eurasian blackcap, garden warbler, and various others ranging from desert to hill babblers. Sylviids are generally small to medium-sized, slender birds with simple plumage and a thin, pointed bill with bristles at its base. They usually have rounded, short wings, especially in non-migratory species, and their habitats vary across much of Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe.