Size: 25cm

Description: pale, dusty brown-grey all over with wings appearing striped or striated when closed. Orange bill, pale eye with darker, inclined “eyebrow” giving them a slightly angry look. They often puff up feathers. Usually appear in groups of 6-10; rather squabbly birds that squeak and chatter noisily as they forage on the ground, rarely straying far from trees. Often seen grooming themselves and each other on tree branches.

Diet: mainly invertebrates, also some grain.

Song: array of squeaks, shrieks and chatters. Very noisy. Will “shout” at cats and other perceived predators from a safe perch.

Breeds: February-October in NW India.