Least Concern Birds

Arrow-marked Babbler

Turdoides jardineii

Social bird eating insects and fruits in African savannas and woodlands.

Scientific name	Turdoides jardineii
Conservation status	Least Concern
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Leiothrichidae
Size	Male: approximately 40-45 cm; Female: approximately 40-45 cm, body weight about 50-70 grams, males and females similar in size

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How to identify

Body plumage brown with distinct arrow-shaped white markings; face with prominent white eyebrow stripe; tail long with slightly rounded tip; strong bill suitable for insect predation; highly social, often seen in groups

Habitat

Open woodland savanna, shrubland, valley edges, and open forest areas

Diet

Omnivorous, mainly feeding on insects and other invertebrates, also consumes fruits and seeds

When it is active

Diurnal, active during the day, especially at dawn and dusk

Where it lives

Distributed in East Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Angola, Zambia; commonly found in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve

How to spot it

Look for them at dawn or dusk in open woodland savanna or shrub edges; listen for their continuous group calls to help locate them

Photography tips

Use a telephoto lens to capture group interactions and feeding behavior; soft morning light is ideal for photography; keep the background simple to highlight plumage colors

Threats

Habitat destruction and degradation, agricultural expansion, and human activity impacts

Similar species

Similar species include the Grey Babbler (Turdoides tenebrosa); the arrow-marked babbler has distinct arrow-shaped markings, whereas the grey babbler has uniform plumage without distinct markings

📖 how to spot the arrow marked babbler on safari