Yellow-beaked Babbler

At first glance, one would be forgiven for assuming that all babblers are alike. “A babbler is a babbler.” But, over a period of time, one begins noticing the minute differences between sub-species, and thus starts the process of learning to identify them. This is one hobby which I strongly recommend for everyone.

The yellow-beaked babbler shares the characteristics of the jungle babbler (see Jungle Babbler http://wonderfulworldofbirds.blogspot.in/2012/05/jungle-babbler.html). 

Noticeable differences are its pale cream crown, as against dark brown of the jungle babbler and mottled or spotted chest and yellow beak.  The other key difference between the two is its pleasant chirping call, while jungle babbler call is harsh.

Yellow-beaked babblers move about in small flocks of six or seven birds; they are partial to dry scrub type of forests. Like the jungle babblers, they are commonly observed near cultivated fields around small villages. The flocks are colloquially termed as sisterhoods. In Hindi, they are called saat bhai (“seven brothers”). They are endemic to South India and are rarely observed in the western region. Spotting them at Nannaj along with the large grey babbler was unexpected.

Name	Yellow-beaked Babbler
Alternate name(s)	Paleheaded Babbler
Size	Myna
Occurrence	Open scrubland forests, near cultivated fields in South India
Status	Common
Distinct features	Pale cream upper head, brownish gray body and large tail; throat and chest mottled with brown
Sexes	Alike