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Abyssinian Catbird
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Sylviidae
Genus:	Sylvia
Species:	S. galinieri
Binomial name
	Sylvia galinieri; (Guérin-Méneville, 1843)
Synonyms
	Parophasma galinieri

The Abyssinian catbird or juniper babbler (Sylvia galinieri) is a species of bird in the family Sylviidae. (It is unrelated to other birds with the common name catbird). It is endemic to Ethiopia where it is found in highland forest and scrub.^[2]^[3] The Abyssinian catbird is a fairly small, mostly grey bird with black lores, whitish forehead and chestnut vent.^[3]

Description

The Abyssinian catbird is a small-sized babbler. Its body is round with relatively short wings and legs. The bird's belly is white, but its upper parts are a lighter shade of grey that gradually fades to a darker shade moving to the backside of the bird. The head of the bird is a light shade of grey with dark highlights surrounding the eyes. The eyes themselves have a scarlet iris surrounding dark brown pupils. The beak is short pointed and black. Its wings are the darkest parts of its body having parallel bars of black along its length with the rest of the wing being grey. Its underside from its legs to its tail is a distinct orange that gives way to a tail that is about half the length of the bird itself.^[4] Abyssinian catbirds measure around 19 cm (7.5 in) in length. The bird was formerly the sole member of the genus Parophasma, and its taxonomy is still inconclusive. It is not yet certain if they are more closely related to babblers or warblers.^[5]

Distribution and habitat

The Abyssinian catbird is a resident of the Afrotropical realm and is endemic to Ethiopia, meaning that it is exclusively found in that region. They are more commonly found at higher elevations around 11,500 feet (3,500 meters), such as in the mountainous northern Semian region, or in the hilly western region of the nation. They have an area of occurrence of 44,500 km².^[6] They prefer forested habitats and dry thickets, and so are most commonly found in highland bamboo, juniper, and olive trees. They are not known to migrate outside of their habitat.^[7]

Behavior

Diet

The Abyssinian catbird has a wide-ranging diet, consisting mostly of small, edible things. This bird is known to eat juniper berries, along with other small fruits.^[8] They are also known to have a diet of various insects that are found in their habitat.^[9] The Abyssinian catbird is often found in shrubby areas, so it is easy to pick berries or find insects on its daily path.

Vocalization

It has been said that the Abyssinian catbird is the finest singer of the African birds. Oftentimes during the rainy season, the male and female Abyssinian catbirds can be found harmonizing together to make an even more beautiful song. The male, long-necked and wings spread, makes a loud ringing sound while the female releases a purring sound.^[10]

Breeding habits

Abyssinian catbirds are known to breed in the season from February to August (or January to July). Their nests, often consisting of a tangle of vines and plant stems, hold two pale-colored, dark-speckled eggs.^[11]

Threats

The Abyssinian catbird is evaluated to be least concern on the IUCN Red List and does not have any reported threats. The bird is relatively abundant in its general area, despite its apparent decreasing population trend.^[12]

References

^ BirdLife International (2016). "Sylvia galinieri". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22716682A94505584.en. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
^ "BirdLife International Data Zone: Abyssinian catbird". BirdLife International. Archived from the original on 2018-09-22. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
^ ^a ^b Collar, N. J. & Robson, C. 2007. Family Timaliidae (Babblers) pp. 70–291 in; del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Christie, D.A. eds. Handbook of the Birds of the World, Vol. 12. Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.
^ "eBird - Discover a new world of birding..." ebird.org. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
^ "Mystery bird: Ethiopian catbird, Parophasma galinieri". the Guardian. 2011-06-21. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
^ "Zegrahm Expeditions". Zegrahm Expeditions. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
^ Collar, N., & Robson, C. (2020). Abyssinian catbird (PAROPHASMA GALINIERI). Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.abycat1.01
^ Collar, Nigel, and Craig Robson. “Abyssinian Catbird.” Birds of the World, The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 4 Mar. 2020, birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/abycat1/cur/introduction#:~:text=Resident.-,Diet%20and%20Foraging,in%20purposeful%20bounds%20along%20branches.
^ Johnson, Sibylle. “Abyssinian Catbirds.” Abyssinian Catbirds | Beauty of Birds, 2011, www.beautyofbirds.com/abyssiniancatbirds.html.
^ “Abyssinian Catbird.” EBird, The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 2020, ebird.org/species/abycat1.
^ A catalogue for endemic birds of Ethiopia - Scientific Figure on ResearchGate. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Abyssinian-catbird-Parophasma-galinieri_fig12_309814504 [accessed 9 Mar, 2021]
^ "BirdLife International". BirdLife International. Retrieved 2022-12-01.