Modulatricidae is a small family of passerine birds which are restricted to Africa. The family is made up of three species in three separate genera, Modulatrix, Arcanator and Kakamega, of brown thrush-like birds. These species have been taxonomic enigmas in the past, having been placed in a number of families including the Old World flycatchers (Muscicapidae), thrushes (Turdidae), and the Old World babblers (Timaliidae sensu lato). They are now known to form a clade sister either to the sugarbirds or to the majority of Passeroidea.
The Modulatricidae have a disjunct distribution in Africa, living in the dense undergrowth of montane forests, principally in East Africa but with a population of the grey-chested babbler in Cameroon and Nigeria. They are poorly studied little is known about their ecology and behaviour. They live on or near the forest floor, and feed on insects and berries, with insects sought by either probing leaf litter or tossing it aside. Two species, the spot-throat and grey-chested babbler, have been observed following swarms of driver ants.
Species Genus: Modulatrix Spot-throat, Modulatrix stictigula Genus: Arcanator Dapple-throat, Arcanator orostruthus Genus: Kakamega Grey-chested babbler, Kakamega poliothorax
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