Photo: Creepanta / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Spiny Babbler
Turdoides nipalensis
Spiny Babbler (Turdoides nipalensis) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of South & Southeast Asia.
The Spiny Babbler (Turdoides nipalensis) is a member of the Leiothrichidae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 61 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 Turdoides
- Species nipalensis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 61 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Leiothrichidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Spiny Babbler is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open scrub and shrubland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Spiny Babbler is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Spiny Babbler (Turdoides nipalensis) is a member of the Leiothrichidae family, within the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR Nepal.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 61 g, with a wing length of about 8.2 cm and a tail of around 11.3 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 29,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Spiny Babbler?
The Spiny Babbler is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 61 g.
Where does the Spiny Babbler live?
The Spiny Babbler is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR Nepal, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Spiny Babbler belong to?
The Spiny Babbler (Turdoides nipalensis) belongs to the Leiothrichidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Spiny Babbler eat?
The Spiny Babbler is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Spiny Babbler migrate?
The Spiny Babbler is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Spiny 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 Spiny Babbler make?
1 real field recording of the Spiny 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 Spiny Babbler's range?
The Spiny Babbler has a mapped global range of about 29,000 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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