Brown Babbler
Turdoides plebejus
South end of Kerio Valley, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Kenya. Dec. 2014.
The complex vocalizations of babblers are probably related to frequent social interactions as groups of these birds forage on the ground for insects and fruits while avoiding their predators. This bird was feeding on the berries of lantana, an exotic invasive plant. The seeds will pass through the bird and will be viable and spread this weed even more.
Timuliidae (recent split to Leiothrichidae) -- Babbler Family
Books:
- Birds of Kenya and Northern Tanzania by Zimmerman et al.
- Birds of East Africa by Stevenson and Fanshawe