Photo: Reichenow, 1900 / CC0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Grey-chested Babbler
Kakamega poliothorax
Grey-chested Babbler (Kakamega poliothorax) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
Found on 1 guide in our atlas — open it for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Grey-chested Babbler (Kakamega poliothorax) is a member of the Modulatricidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 36.4 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 Modulatricidae Dapple-throat & Allies
- Genus Kakamega
- Species poliothorax
Where it lives
Southeastern Nigeria, western Cameroon, Bioko I., eastern DR Congo, western Uganda, southwestern Rwanda, western Burundi and western Kenya
Quick facts
- Weight
- 36.4 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Modulatricidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Grey-chested Babbler is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Grey-chested Babbler is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Grey-chested Babbler (Kakamega poliothorax) belongs to the Modulatricidae family of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF se Nigeria, w Cameroon, Bioko I., e DR Congo, w Uganda, sw Rwanda, w Burundi and w Kenya.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 36.4 g, with a wing length of about 8.4 cm and a tail of around 7.6 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 141,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Grey-chested Babbler?
The Grey-chested Babbler is a small bird that weighs around 36.4 g.
Where does the Grey-chested Babbler live?
The Grey-chested Babbler is found across Africa with a range covering AF se Nigeria, w Cameroon, Bioko I., e DR Congo, w Uganda, sw Rwanda, w Burundi and w Kenya, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Grey-chested Babbler belong to?
The Grey-chested Babbler (Kakamega poliothorax) belongs to the Modulatricidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Grey-chested Babbler eat?
The Grey-chested Babbler is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Grey-chested Babbler migrate?
The Grey-chested Babbler is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Grey-chested 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 Grey-chested Babbler make?
1 real field recording of the Grey-chested 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 Grey-chested Babbler's range?
The Grey-chested Babbler has a mapped global range of about 141,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Modulatricidae
Near Threatened
Least Concern
More in Songbirds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Guides for this bird
Best Bird Feeders for Garden Songbirds
How to choose a bird feeder for garden songbirds — the feeder styles compared, the seed they prefer, where to hang it, and how to keep birds safe. A decision framework grounded in real data, with no mystery picks.