Buff-breasted Babbler

Unusual and distinctive warbler of the southwest Arabian highlands. Gray-brown, with a darker cap, paler throat, and pale eye. Found in dry montane scrub and woodland, including juniper and acacia woodland. Generally skulking, but will sometimes come into the open. The song is a loud and distinctive, but variable, series of mix of musical warbled notes. Scratchy, scolding calls are often given on their own, but can also be mixed into the song. Similar in overall shape and size to several other warblers, but identified by the browner overall coloration, with more dusky underparts. Further separated from confusion species like Arabian Warbler by the pale eye.

A fairly small, plump bird with a unique bill shape of montane forest. Male is yellow-green with black wing, chest, and two large, pink, fleshy wattles beside the bill. The female is olive-green with paler underparts. Forages low and especially likes climbing bamboo. Uses its strong bill to strip wood and dig into branches. Male plumage is unique, but even with the female’s non-descript plumage, the bill shape should be a give-away. Voice, a single, long, high-pitch note.

Both sexes of this thrush are fairly uniformly-colored: the male is predominantly blue-gray and the female is warm brown with a slight buffy wash to the underparts. May be confused with Indian Blackbird in southwestern wintering range, but both sexes are paler and smaller than their respective counterparts of that species. Breeds in open forest and forest edge in hilly and submontane areas; winters in similar habitat at lower altitudes. Sings melodic warbling and buzzing phrases; also gives a short bubbly bursts of “chup” notes.