Bird Guide

Arrow-marked Babbler vs Southern Pied Babbler

Arrow-marked Babbler (Turdoides jardineii)

Arrow-marked Babbler

Turdoides jardineii

Medium78 gShrubland

The arrow-marked babbler is a medium-sized babbler, 22 to 25 cm (8.7–9.8 in) in length and weighing 56 to 85 g (2.0–3.0 oz). The common name for the species is derived from its plumage, which is brownish-grey above and lighter below, with white tips to the feathers on the throat, neck and head. The outer iris is bright red and the inner bright yellow or orange. Males and females are identical in appearance. Juveniles have brown eyes and less arrow-shaped streaking on the breast.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: (c) Alan Manson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alan Manson · cc-by
Southern Pied Babbler (Turdoides bicolor)

Southern Pied Babbler

Turdoides bicolor

Medium78 gWoodland

The southern pied babbler is a medium-sized 75 to 95 grams (2.6 to 3.4 oz) cooperatively breeding passerine bird. Groups range in size from 2-16 adults, but pairs are rare. The species is sexually monomorphic, with males and females indistinguishable from physical characteristics. Each group comprises a dominant breeding pair that monopolise access to breeding opportunities. Recent genetic research has confirmed that these dominant pairs are responsible for more than 95% of young hatched.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Derek Keats from Johannesburg, South Africa · CC BY 2.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Arrow-marked Babbler and Southern Pied Babbler.