Most species, such as the white-crested laughing thrush, are a combination of brown, black, gray, chestnut, or white. But some babblers have bright green, yellow, or red feathers. Babblers eat chiefly insects and other small animals without backbones. Most species find their prey by scratching and probing among the leaves and plants on the forest floor. However, some species look for food in shrubs and trees.
Most babblers nest in low bushes or small trees.
They generally build open, cup-shaped nests of twigs and stems, but some species cover their nests with a dome of grass and moss. Female babblers lay from two to four eggs. Among some species of babblers, the young remain with their parents for one or two years. Most babblers gather in large flocks except when nesting. The birds call loudly to each other unless danger threatens.