Turdoides squamiceps - Arabian Babbler
Feather characters. Barbules are of medium length (1.09-1.25 mm) and divided into pigmented nodes and unpigmented internodes. Pigmentation does not fill the entire node as in most passerines. Bell-shaped and diamond-shaped nodes are equally distributed along the entire length of barbules (31-34 per mm). They all have about the same size, slightly decreasing towards distal part. Villi are rounded and internodes are occasionally kinked. Internodes may look flattened and twisted. Minute prongs are present on distal end of barbules and on both sides of the pennulum. Barbules have this typical structure for Passeriformes; pigmented nodes combined with rounded villi. Only the shape of nodes and internodes is different: nodes are diamond-shaped as well as bell-shaped with kinked internodes.
Field Characters. Size 26-29 cm. Weight (64.0-83.0) (Cramp (chief ed.) 1993). Large grey-brown babbler, approximately the size of a Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus, not included in BRIS). Largely sandy grey-brown, but head more grey-toned, with dark scaling on crown, nape, and ear-coverts; dark-tipped bill rather long, decurved, dark grey in male and horn-coloured in female; underparts, except for flanks and undertail-coverts, paler than upperparts, throat and upper breast spotted. Juvenile resembles adult, but bill darker and underparts rusty toned. Often in small flocks.
Voice. Very vocal; most common call high 'piu-piu-piu-piu'.
Distribution. Common resident in Middle East. Map: see MapIt.
Habitat. Dry bushy semi-desert with scattered trees (especially acacias).
Food. Invertebrates and small vertebrates, and plant material such as nectar, berries, or seeds. Forages in groups.