Alternative name: Rufous-backed Babbler
- Argya subrufa
Turdoides subrufa
Identification
A medium-sized 24-25 cm (9½-9¾ in) Turdoides Babbler from India.
Has rufous underparts, and rich brown upperparts.
Black and yellow bill, dark lores, and a grey forecrown.
Juveniles are similar to adults.
Variations
Hyperythra is richer coloured than nominate race.
Similar Species
Quite similar to Orange-billed Babbler from Sri Lanka, but ranges don't overlap. Jungle Babbler and Yellow-billed Babbler are much paler.
Distribution
 |
Endemic to the Western Ghats in SW India. Restricted range species. Subrufa seems to be quite rare, hyperythra is locally common in Kerala. |
| Legend • T. s. subrufa; year-round |
Taxonomy
The scientific name was formerly spelled Turdoides subrufus.
This species is sometimes placed in genus Turdoides.
Subspecies
Two subspecies recognized:5
- A. s. subrufa: South West India (Western Ghats to northern Kerala, Madras and Nilgiri Hills)
- A. s. hyperythra: South West India (south-western Madras and Kerala)
Habitat
Found in dense scrub undergrowth in open evergreen and moist deciduous forest. Also forest edge, old clearings, dense scrub, tall grass or abandoned coffee plantations.
Behaviour
Diet
Feeds on insects, berries and nectar. Forages on ground in small groups of 6 - 8 birds. Skulking behaviour.
Breeding
Breeding season from February to November, but most birds breed between February and March. Builds a large deep cup made of leaves, grasses and creepers in a bush or a small tree. Lays 4 blue eggs.
Movements
Resident.
References
- Rasmussen, P.C. and Anderton, J.C. 2005. Birds of South Asia. The Ripley Guide. Washington D.C. and Barcelona: Smithsonian Institution and Lynx Editions. ISBN 84-87334-67-9
- Grimmett, R., Inskipp, C. and Inskipp, T. 1998. Birds of the Indian Subcontinent. London: Christopher Helm. ISBN 0-7136-4004-9
- Kazmierczak, K. and van Perlo, B. 2000. A Field Guide to the Birds of the Indian Subcontinent. London: Pica Press. ISBN 0-300-07921-4
- del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. and Christie, D.A. eds. 2007. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 12. Picahartes to Tits and Chickadees. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 84-87334-30X
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2019. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World: v2019. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Rufous Babbler. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 3 June 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Rufous_Babbler
