Sri Lanka Thrush
Zoothera imbricata
Large, long-billed brown thrush with extensive black scales all over the body, and rich buff underparts. A very secretive, terrestrial species that frequents the understory of wet forests of lowlands and mountains. Most often encountered in the foothills, foraging along forest tracks. Told from female Pied and Spot-winged Thrushes by presence of extensive black markings on the upperparts, and rich buff coloration to the underparts. Heard mainly at dawn and dusk. Mournful, unobtrusive song a series of downslurred whistles: “cheeew-chew-lew”, with emphasis on first note, and rapid final two notes. Calls include a barely-audible, high-pitched, short, sharp “tsit” notes.
Identification
The Sri Lanka thrush or Sri Lanka scaly thrush (Zoothera imbricata) is a member of the thrush family Turdidae. This bird is an endemic resident breeder found in south western rainforests of the island of Sri Lanka. Zoothera imbricata was formerly treated as a race of the scaly thrush. It belongs in a group, possibly a superspecies, formed by that species and Z. lunulata, Z. heinei, Z. machiki, Z. talaseae, Z. margaretae etc., Z. imbricata being smaller, longer billed and rufous below.
Taxonomy
Genus: Zoothera; Family: Turdidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Zoothera imbricata
- Authority
- Layard, EL, 1854
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Turdidae
- Genus
- Zoothera
Photos
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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A beautiful red parrot with scattered dark markings confined to the Tanimbar Islands. Entirely scarlet underneath, with a deep blue stripe through the eye, a red bill, a dark back and tail, and scattered red markings on dark wings. Juveniles have a brown bill and dark-edged feathers on the underparts. Found in groups in lowland forest, edge, plantations, and mangroves. Much smaller than female Eclectus Parrot, with a dark streak through the eye and a red-colored undertail. Gives various high-pitched, lorikeet-like screeches: “EEEEK!”
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