Large Gray Babbler
Argya malcolmi
Large gray-brown babbler with piercing yellow eyes. Can be confused with Jungle Babbler, with which it sometimes associates; look for strong dark lores and a darker bill. Favors scrubby areas, forest edge, and open dry forests. Like many other related babblers, typically hops around on the ground in flocks. Chatters persistently; the most common call is a loud, nasal “kaaa-kaaa-kaaa”.
Identification
This long-tailed and large babbler has a brown body with creamy white outer tail feathers which are easily visible as they fly with fluttery wing beats low over the ground. The lores are dark and forehead is grey with white shaft streaks on the feathers. The rump and uppertail covers are pale grey. The mantle has dusky blotches and no shaft streaks. The three outer tail feathers are white and the fourth pair has the outer web white. The wings are darker brown. The iris is yellow and the upper mandible is dark brown while the lower mandible is yellowish. The tail is faintly cross barred. Abnormal specimens showing albinism or leucism have been reported.<p>The species was first described from the Deccan Plateau region. The scientific name was given by Colonel W H Sykes in appreciation of support that he received from Major-General Sir John Malcolm.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Argya malcolmi
- Authority
- (Sykes, 1832)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Leiothrichidae
- Genus
- Argya
Range and habitat
Found throughout the Indian subcontinent, south of the Himalayas, east of the Thar desert until Bihar. The species is not found in Kerala and records from the Sind area are not confirmed. It is found mainly in open dry scrub forest and cultivated areas. It is not found in the eastern dry zone of Tamil Nadu; however, an exhausted specimen has been observed in Pondicherry.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The species is found in small flocks which keep in contact with loud nasal calls. Members of the flock may join in defending against predators. Individuals may also attack their own reflections. They are mostly seen in open scrub country where they forage on or close to the ground. They hop and leap on the ground in search of prey. Individuals in a group may indulge in play behaviour. They feed mainly on insects but also feed on small lizards, molluscs and arachnids. They also feed on seeds, grains and berries. They are found in gardens within 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.<p>They are known to breed through the year but mainly during the rainy season from March to September. The usual clutch is four eggs. The nest is a shallow cup placed in a shrub often of thorny species. Their nests are parasitized by the pied cuckoo and the common hawk-cuckoo. It has been suggested that more than one female may lay eggs in a single nest and help in incubation; however, this has not been verified.<p>Although secure with a wide distribution, some local populations are threatened by hunting for meat. An endoparasitic cestode Vogea vestibularis has been described from this species.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Fiery-necked Nightjar
Caprimulgus pectoralis
Medium-sized, typical nightjar, with a strong rufous collar. Both sexes have small pale marks in the outer wings and large ones at the tail corners that are white in males and buff in females. Found in a variety of habitats, including savannah, woodland, forest, and plantations. Song is a distinctive series of whistles: “dear lord, deliver us!” Most similar to Rufous-cheeked Nightjar, but darker, with a brighter and more distinct rufous collar. Male has less white in the wing and more in the tail than Rufous-cheeked Nightjar. Female has larger buff tail corners than Rufous-cheeked Nightjar.
Papuan Eclectus
Eclectus polychloros
Robust, big-headed, and rather short-tailed parrot endemic to Papua and Cape York (Australia) and introduced to Solomon Islands, where it inhabits lowland and foothill forests. Male bright green with red underwings and orange bill, female bright red with violet belly and dark bill. Usually seen flying above forests at first light, squawking loudly. Calls include an ear-shattering, high-pitched squawk, as well as a lower, rasping caw. Formerly grouped with other closely related species under “Eclectus Parrot.”
West African Wattle-eye
Dyaphorophyia hormophora
Chunky and short-tailed rainforest wattle-eye. Males are black-and-white, with a white collar all the way around the neck and a very broad black breast band. Females are mostly chestnut, with a white belly and mostly gray head. Both sexes have bluish-purple bare skin around the eyes. Found in the understory and middle levels of rainforest and gallery forest, at middle and low elevations. The vocalizations are highly variable but consist of repeated notes, which can be clear toots or frog-like sounds.
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