Order Passeriformes Higher classification Turdoides | Phylum Chordata Family Leiothrichidae Scientific name Turdoides melanops Rank Species | |
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Similar Bare‑cheeked babbler, Hartlaub's babbler, Scaly babbler, Black‑lored babbler, White‑rumped babbler | ||
The black-faced babbler (Turdoides melanops) is a species of songbird in the Leiothrichidae family. It was once it was considered conspecific with the black-lored babbler, T. sharpei.
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As defined here, it occurs in northwestern Botswana, northern Namibia, and Angola. Like other Turdoides, it is found low or on the ground in or near dense woody vegetation, including in cultivated areas.
Description
Black-faced babblers are 21 to 25 cm (8 to 10 inches) long. Birds are largely grayish brown with geographically and individually variable white mottling, especially below. The combination of pale yellow or white eyes and black lores (the areas between the eye and the bill) separates this species from similar babblers, though all juvenile babblers have brown eyes.
The calls are described as "A nasal 'wha-wha-wha' and a harsh, fast 'papapapa'."
Behavior
They forage in leaf litter and are "much more furtive than the other babblers".