- Turdoides malcolmi
Identification
Photo taken: Karnal, India
The Large Grey Babbler, Turdoides malcolmi, is an Old World babbler found in South Asia. The scientific name commemorates Major-General Sir John Malcolm, who collected the specimen described by Sykes.
The species is locally common and is found in small vociferous groups. They are easily identified both by their appearance and call. They have distintive white outer tail feathers on a long tail. They are also among the largest babblers in the region.
The species is found in small flocks which keep in contact with loud nasal calls. They are mostly seen in open scrub country. They breed throughout the year. They have adapted to life in some cities such as Pune and Ahmedabad. In other cities such as Bangalore, they are seen only on the outskirts of the expanding urban zone.
Their nests are parasitized by the Pied Crested Cuckoo (Clamator jacobinus) Found throughout the Indian Subcontinent, south of the Himalayas, west until Lahore and east to Bihar.
