AVITOPIA - Australasian Babblers

The species of the family of Australasian Babblers are endemic to Australia and New Guinea. They used to be assigned to the timalia, but genetic studies have shown that they are by no means related to these, but form a family of their own. The body size ranges from 17 cm to 27 cm. Sombre colors dominate the plumage. The wings are short and round, the tail is long and is often carried fanned out. The bill is quite long and curved downwards. Their habitat are semi-open landscapes. They are ground-dwelling omnivores, but their main food is invertebrates. The birds are monogamous, but are supported by helpers during breeding. A group occupies a common territory and sometimes sleeps together in a relatively large nest with a tunnel-shaped entrance that can reach a diameter of up to 2 m for the Papuan Babbler. Depending on the species, the clutch comprises 1 to 6 eggs, which are usually incubated by the female alone for 19 to 25 days. During this time, the breeding females are fed by the males.