About Turdoides squamiceps (Cretzschmar, 1827)
Common Name and Size
This species, commonly called the Arabian babbler, measures 26 to 29 cm (10 to 11 in) in length, with a wingspan of 31 to 33.5 cm (12.2 to 13.2 in) and a body weight of 64 to 87.9 g (2.26 to 3.10 oz).
Body Structure
It has a fairly long curved bill, a long tail, rounded wings, and strong legs and feet.
Plumage Coloration
Its upper plumage is grey-brown, and its underparts are paler. Dark streaks mark its back, and its throat is whitish.
Vocalizations
It produces a variety of calls including whistles, trills, and chattering.
Preferred Settlement Habitat
The Arabian babbler prefers to settle along dry river beds with few trees and bushes.
Arabian Peninsula Distribution
It is found in eastern, southern, and western Arabia, occurring in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, and western Saudi Arabia, but it is absent from the central and north-eastern parts of the Arabian peninsula.
Northern Range Extension
Its range extends north to Jordan, Israel, and eastern Sinai.
General Habitat and Elevation
It inhabits arid scrubland and savanna, and can be found at elevations up to 2800 metres above sea level in Yemen.
