Rufous babbler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rufous babbler |
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Turdoides subrufus |
The rufous babbler (Argya subrufa) is a special bird. It lives only in the Western Ghats of southern India. This bird belongs to the Leiothrichidae family. It has dark brown feathers and a long tail. You can often spot these birds looking for food. They usually move in noisy groups. They like open hillsides with grass, ferns, and trees.
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What is the Rufous Babbler?
The rufous babbler is a unique bird. It is found only in a specific part of India. It was first described in 1839 by Thomas C. Jerdon. This bird is known for its lively behavior.
How Do Scientists Name Birds?
Birds, like all living things, have scientific names. These names help scientists around the world know exactly which animal they are talking about. The rufous babbler's scientific name is Argya subrufa.
For a while, this bird was placed in a group called Turdoides. But in 2018, scientists did a big study. They looked at the birds' DNA. This study showed that the rufous babbler actually belongs to an older group. This group is called Argya. So, the bird's scientific name was updated.
What Does the Rufous Babbler Look Like?
This babbler is a fairly large bird. Its upper body is a dark olive-brown color. Its forehead is grey. The feathers on its wings have a reddish-brown tint. The feathers on its forehead have black lines.
The bird's eyes are pale white or yellow. The area around its eyes is dark. Its underside is a bright reddish-brown. The center of its throat and belly are a bit lighter. These birds are about 25 to 26 centimeters (10 inches) long. Their tail is about 11 to 11.5 centimeters (4.5 inches) long.
Where Does the Rufous Babbler Live?
This bird lives in the Western Ghats mountain range. You can find them from Mahabaleshwar in the north. Their range extends south to the Palni hills. They also live east into the Shevaroy hills.
They mostly stay close to the ground. Here, they search for insects and berries to eat. However, they will also use trees for shelter or food. Their favorite places to live are open forests, scrublands, or grassy hillsides.
How Does the Rufous Babbler Behave?
Rufous babblers are active birds. They are often seen in groups. These groups can be quite noisy as they move around. They communicate with each other using loud calls. Their call sounds like treenh-treenh.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
The rufous babbler's breeding season is mostly from February to November. During this time, they build their nests. The nest is a small cup shape. They usually build it in the fork of a tree.
Female babblers lay their eggs in these nests. They usually lay three eggs. Sometimes they lay two or four. The eggs are a beautiful dark, shiny blue color.
Gallery
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A rufous babbler at Nelliyampathy
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Rufous babbler in Kerala, India
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