Babblers : Family Timaliidae

The Timaliidae family is a large and diverse family of passerine birds native to Africa and Asia, with one species native to the west coast of the United States. For all intents and purposes, Babblers resemble Thrushes in size and body plan, and have in the past been confused with members of the thrush family. Most species are small to medium in size and have a long sharp beak that, in some species, curves down slightly. Babblers will eat a wide variety of foods, but are primarily insectivorous. Species in this family can range in color from drab and boring to bright and gaudy.

As their name suggests, babblers babble. They are generally very loud and communicate with one another using a relatively complex language. Their ability to communicate so effectively helps them survive while living in close quarters with the rest of the flock.

The Never-Ending Family Reunion

Babblers are known in the bird world for several unique behaviors. Species in this family are very social birds and current studies are using their social behavior to study social interactions in humans! These birds are nearly always found in relatively large flocks of closely related family members. This is unusual in the passerine world because typically when birds flock together, it is normally only during the breeding season. Babblers must really enjoy their family reunions!

Actually, spending time with their family is very useful for these birds. Typically, only two individuals in the flock breed, and everyone then takes turns watching over the nest and feeding the baby chicks. Not only do the parents get free baby-sitters (quite literally, "Baby-Sitters"), but because all the members of the family share similar genetics, they will all react similarly to danger and can then effectively defend themselves. There is no body better than family to watch your back!

You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours

Babblers are also unique in that they don't mind getting up close and personal with each other, and regularly groom one another. They pick off parasites and preen each other's feathers, just the way some primates do! Interestingly, this sort of behavior is very important to their social structure, and can sometimes result in one bird literally fighting for the chance to preen another individual. I wish people would fight over who could scratch my back next...

Taxonomy

This family is currently being studied to determine the exact relationships of all 273 species are related to each other. Some of the genera that are currently within this family will probably be moved to another family after more research has been completed. This family has always been confusing taxonomically, and several of the species in this family are commonly called thrushes, or chickadees, or wrens, even though they are not. No, scientists are not trying to mess with you, we just like to get things right! There are currently 50 genera of babblers and 273 species. Genera include:

Genus Liocichla (Liocichla)
Genus Actinodura (Barwings)
Genus Minla
Genus Chrysominla
Genus Siva
Genus Leiothrix (2 species)
Genus Heterophasia (Sibias)
Genus Alcippe (Fulvettas)
Genus Cutia (Cuitas)
Genus Turdoides
Genus Garrulax (Laughingthrushes)
Genus Babax (Babaxes)
Genus Pellorneum
Genus Kenopia
Genus Malacopteron
Genus Schoeniparus (Fulvettas)
Genus Pseudominla
Genus Gampsorhynchus
Genus Malacocincla
Genus Napothera (Wren babblers)
Genus Jabouilleia (Scimitar-babblers)
Genus Graminicola
Genus Pomatorhinus (Scimitar-babblers)
Genus Xiphirhynchus (Slender-billed Scimitar-babbler)
Genus Stachyris
Genus Stachyridopsis
Genus Spelaeornis (Wren-Babblers)
Genus Sphenocichla
Genus Macronus (Tit-babblers)
Genus Timalia (Chestnut Capped Babbler)
Genus Yuhina (Yuhinas)
Genus Staphida
Genus Dasycrotapha
Genus Sterrhoptilus
Genus Zosterornis
Genus Pseudoalcippe
Genus Lioparus
Genus Fulvetta
Genus Chrysomma
Genus Chamaea (Wrentit)