Dusky Babbler
Turdoides tenebrosa
Dusky Babbler (Turdoides tenebrosa) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The Dusky Babbler (Turdoides tenebrosa) is a member of the Leiothrichidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 76 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 tenebrosa
Where it lives
Northern Central African Republic and southern Sudan; northeastern DR Congo, southern South Sudan and western Uganda; eastern South Sudan and western Ethiopia
Quick facts
- Weight
- 76 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Leiothrichidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Dusky 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 Dusky Babbler is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Dusky Babbler (Turdoides tenebrosa) is a species of bird in the Leiothrichidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF n Central African Republic and s Sudan; ne DR Congo, s South Sudan and w Uganda; e South Sudan and w Ethiopia.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 76 g, with a wing length of about 11.9 cm and a tail of around 11.9 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 295,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Dusky Babbler?
The Dusky Babbler is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 76 g.
Where does the Dusky Babbler live?
The Dusky Babbler is found across Africa with a range covering AF n Central African Republic and s Sudan; ne DR Congo, s South Sudan and w Uganda; e South Sudan and w Ethiopia, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Dusky Babbler belong to?
The Dusky Babbler (Turdoides tenebrosa) belongs to the Leiothrichidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Dusky Babbler eat?
The Dusky Babbler is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Dusky Babbler migrate?
The Dusky Babbler is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Dusky 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 Dusky Babbler make?
1 real field recording of the Dusky 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 Dusky Babbler's range?
The Dusky Babbler has a mapped global range of about 295,000 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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