Photo: Iain Robson from UK / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Orange-billed Babbler
Argya rufescens
Orange-billed Babbler (Argya rufescens) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of South & Southeast Asia.
The Orange-billed Babbler (Argya rufescens) is a member of the Leiothrichidae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 64.5 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 rufescens
Quick facts
- Weight
- 64.5 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Leiothrichidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Orange-billed Babbler is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Orange-billed Babbler is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Orange-billed Babbler (Argya rufescens) is a species of bird in the Leiothrichidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It is found across South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR Sri Lanka.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 64.5 g, with a wing length of about 9.7 cm and a tail of around 11.5 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Orange-billed Babbler?
The Orange-billed Babbler is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 64.5 g.
Where does the Orange-billed Babbler live?
The Orange-billed Babbler is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR Sri Lanka, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Orange-billed Babbler belong to?
The Orange-billed Babbler (Argya rufescens) belongs to the Leiothrichidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Orange-billed Babbler eat?
The Orange-billed Babbler is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Orange-billed Babbler migrate?
The Orange-billed Babbler is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Orange-billed 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 Orange-billed Babbler make?
1 real field recording of the Orange-billed Babbler — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
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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