From Opus

A Common Babbler, a typical representive of this genus. Photo: Rakesh

Genus: Turdoides

[edit] Description

This genus contains some 30 species, found in Africa, the Middle East and south Asia. They are often found in groups and occupy dry thorny open country from semi-desert with palm groves to open savanna and scrubby hillsides.
Turdoides-babblers have strong, point-tipped bills with both mandibles slightly decurved, short rictal bristles, firm short forehead feathering, a long tail and (with the exception of the Southern Pied-Babbler) pale or darker brown-grey backs and breast, sometimes with some streaking.

[edit] Taxonomy

Turdoides is a genus in the Family Timaliidae.
The Spiny Babbler is sometimes placed in its own genus, Acanthoptila, but more study is needed to confirm this treatment. The same applies to the genus Argya which would include 11 species with longer, more graduated tails, longer slenderer bills and more rounded wings.