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Abyssinian Catbird - BirdForum Opus

(Redirected from Sylvia galinieri)
Photo by Trevor Hardaker
Ankober, Ethiopia, April 2009

Alternative names: Abyssinian Babbler; Juniper Babbler

Sylvia galinieri

Parophasma galinieri

Identification

A dull grey babbler-like passerine (17-19 cm):

  • Dirty grey plumage
  • White forehead
  • Black lores
  • Rufous-chestnut vent

Sexes similar, juveniles are generally paler.

Distribution

Endemic to the highlands of Ethiopia.
Fairly common in parts of its range.1

Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species.[1]

Uncertain affinities. May be close to Bush Blackcap or the Mountain-Babblers. Now thought to belong to the Old World Warblers, not the Babblers.

Habitat

Dense thickets, giant heather, juniper woodland, highland bamboo, olive trees, well-wooded gardens. Often in steep-sided valleys or ravines. Found between 2440m and 3655m.1

Behaviour

Feeds on juniper berries and other fruit.

Usually seen in pairs or small groups of up to 8 birds. Keeps in vegetation. Fine singer.

Breeding season from January to July. The nest is a thin cup made of fine plant stems and placed on top of some small branches, about 5m above the ground. Lays 2 eggs.

Resident species.1

References

  1. 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
  2. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2021. The eBird/Clements checklist of Birds of the World: v2021. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
  3. Lepage D. (2022) [1]. Retrieved 17 September 2022

Recommended Citation

External Links

GSearch checked for 2020 platform.

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