Often found in small groups of six to twenty calling out which-which-whichi-ri-ri-ri-ri in a high pitched squeak they are a common sight in our school. Hopping around and pecking on insects, berries and grains they are a cute gang. The Common Babbler (Argya Caudata) belongs to the family Leiothrichidae. With a long tail the greyish small slim babbler has a paler and unstreaked undersider. Streaked on the upper plumage they have a distinct whitish throat. Weighing about 30-40gms they are about 20-25cms in size.
The members of the small groups keep watch on top of the bushes while the others forage through the undergrowth on the ground. Babbler’s long tail is often raised when on the ground hopping around. Their favourite berries are that of Lantana and Capparis. Common Babblers are mostly found in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal.
Soft and shallow cup shaped nests are built in thorny bushes where they lay about 2-3 turquoise blue eggs which hatch in about 13-15 days. In India their nesting season is in summer (May to July).
