Tawny-bellied Babbler (Dumetia hyperythra) शाह डुमरी, गेरू डुमरी

Tawny-bellied Babbler (Dumetia hyperythra) शाह डुमरी, गेरू डुमरी - Birds Around Me 0225

- March 14, 2024

The Tawny-bellied Babbler, known in Hindi as शाह डुमरी or गेरू डुमरी, is a small, lively bird of India’s scrublands and grass jungles. Though modest in appearance, it is a delightful member of the babbler family, often heard before it is seen.

Tawny-bellied Babbler (Dumetia hyperythra) शाह डुमरी, गेरू डुमरी
Sanjivini Nagar, Jabalpur, M.P., India
October 2023

This babbler is slightly smaller than a bulbul, measuring about 13–15 cm in length. Its plumage is warm brown above, with a distinctive tawny or rufous belly that gives the species its name. The face is pale with a faint eyebrow stripe, and the tail is short and rounded. Its soft coloration blends perfectly with dry scrub and grassy habitats, making it inconspicuous until it bursts into song.

The Tawny-bellied Babbler is widely distributed across India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, thriving in thorn scrub, tall grasslands, and dry shrubbery. It prefers open country with scattered bushes, often near villages and farmlands. Its adaptability allows it to live close to human settlements while remaining tied to natural scrub habitats.

Tawny-bellied Babbler (Dumetia hyperythra) शाह डुमरी, गेरू डुमरी
Sanjivini Nagar, Jabalpur, M.P., India
October 2023

Like most babblers, the शाह डुमरी is highly social, usually seen in small groups of five to seven birds. They move restlessly through scrub and grass, foraging for insects, seeds, and small invertebrates. Their calls are loud and varied, ranging from sharp notes to cheerful chatter. During the breeding season, males climb onto exposed perches—bush tops or grass stems—and deliver a loud, melodious cheeping song, filling the landscape with their presence.

Hindi Name of Tawny-bellied Babbler (Dumetia hyperythra) शाह डुमरी, गेरू डुमरी

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