Christmas Island-Thrush
Turdus erythropleurus
Brown and gray thrush with an orange belly, pale throat, and bright orange bill, eyering, legs, and feet. Inhabits forested habitats across Christmas Island, where it can sometimes be found quite close to human habitation; the only resident thrush on the island, and unmistakable. Often encountered foraging actively on the ground. Song is a variable series of doubled notes; calls include an explosive chattering series of rapid chup notes.
Identification
Brown and gray thrush with an orange belly, pale throat, and bright orange bill, eyering, legs, and feet. Inhabits forested habitats across Christmas Island, where it can sometimes be found quite close to human habitation; the only resident thrush on the island, and unmistakable. Often encountered foraging actively on the ground. Song is a variable series of doubled notes; calls include an explosive chattering series of rapid chup notes.
Taxonomy
Genus: Turdus; Family: Turdidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Turdus erythropleurus
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Turdidae
- Genus
- Turdus
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds

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