Scaly Babbler
Turdoides squamulata
A very dark babbler with pale scaling on the crown, throat, and breast and a yellow-orange eye. In the southern part of the range has a blackish ear patch, while in the north, can show a brown ear patch and a white chin, or else a completely white face. Found locally in coastal scrub, riparian thickets, and woodland with thick undergrowth. Almost always in small groups, which feed by hopping across the ground. More elusive and skulking than most babblers. Northern subspecies can be similar to White-rumped Babbler, but easily separated by the lack of a white rump. Usually located by the raspy babbling call, usually given by a whole group in chorus.
Identification
The scaly babbler (Turdoides squamulata) is a species of bird in the family Leiothrichidae. It is native to the Jubba, Shebelle and Tana rivers and Kenyan shoreline. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forest and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.
Taxonomy
Genus: Turdoides; Family: Leiothrichidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Turdoides squamulata
- Authority
- (Shelley, 1884)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Leiothrichidae
- Genus
- Turdoides
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Chinese Blackbird
Turdus mandarinus
Large dark thrush of open forests, gardens, and farms; one of the more common urban birds throughout much of its extensive range. Frequently seen on lawns and fields away from cover, pulling up worms and other invertebrates. Both sexes dark with orange bills, the male black overall, the female dark brown. Sings beautifully from exposed perches throughout the day, a series of loud melodic notes that varies between individuals. Often gives a shrill shriek or a series of “wuk” notes when alarmed or agitated.
Chestnut-bellied Partridge
Arborophila javanica
Brilliantly colored small partridge of montane and foothill forests. Often difficult to see in the gloom and tangle of shaded vegetation, but note slate-gray back and chest, rusty belly, and bright orange-and-black face pattern. Like other Arborophila partridges, typically forages on the forest floor in small groups. Song is a fast and gradually rising series of “whew” notes; when duetting, one bird gives the aforementioned song while its partner gives a slower, lower-pitched “boo-goo, boo-goo, boo-goo.”
White-tailed Swallow
Hirundo megaensis
A small swallow with white underparts and dark blue upperparts. The tail shows an unusual pattern: a dark rim around large white panels both above and below. Found very locally in southern Ethiopia in open thorn savanna, in areas with many large termite mounds. Often in pairs. Similar to Gray-rumped Swallow, but easily separated by the white in the tail. Could be confused with Common House Martin, but has white in the tail rather than a bold rump patch.
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