Iraq Babbler
Argya altirostris
Iraq Babbler (Argya altirostris) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Europe & Northern Asia.
The Iraq Babbler (Argya altirostris) is a member of the Leiothrichidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 33 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Leiothrichidae Laughingthrushes & Allies
- Genus Argya
- Species altirostris
Where it lives
South-central Turkey, north-central, northeastern Syria, northern, central Iraq and southwestern Iran
Quick facts
- Weight
- 33 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Leiothrichidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Iraq Babbler is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The Iraq Babbler is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Iraq Babbler (Argya altirostris) belongs to the Leiothrichidae family of the order Passeriformes. It is found across Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers PAL sc Turkey, nc, ne Syria, n, c Iraq and sw Iran.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 33 g, with a wing length of about 7.4 cm and a tail of around 10.1 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 149,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Iraq Babbler?
The Iraq Babbler is a small bird that weighs around 33 g.
Where does the Iraq Babbler live?
The Iraq Babbler is found across Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering PAL sc Turkey, nc, ne Syria, n, c Iraq and sw Iran, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Iraq Babbler belong to?
The Iraq Babbler (Argya altirostris) belongs to the Leiothrichidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Iraq Babbler eat?
The Iraq Babbler is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Iraq Babbler migrate?
The Iraq Babbler is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Iraq Babbler endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Iraq Babbler make?
1 real field recording of the Iraq Babbler — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Iraq Babbler's range?
The Iraq Babbler has a mapped global range of about 149,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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