Amami Thrush
Zoothera major
Large thrush, pale brown above, white below, with scale-like black-tipped feathers throughout the plumage. Inhabits undisturbed broadleaf evergreen forests of low elevations. Once considered a subspecies of White’s Thrush but now recognized as an endemic species of Amami and Kakeroma Islands. Amami Thrush is duller overall than White’s, which may appear during migration in the habitat of Amami. When foraging, Amami runs like a plover, stopping suddenly to listen for prey, whereas White’s walks along strangely, bobbing the head. Amami Thrush’s song distinctive and complex, very different from the simple song of White’s.
Identification
This large, heavily patterned thrush is similar in appearance to the scaly thrush, to which was considered a subspecies. It has warm olive-brown to buff upperparts and whitish underparts with heavy black scaling. It has twelve tail feathers. The scaly thrush is smaller and has fourteen tail feathers. It has a cheerful song similar to the Siberian thrush. The Amami thrush ranges in length from 29 to 31 cm (11 to 12 in) and weighs approximately 172 g (6.1 oz). Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 16.4 to 17.3 cm (6.5 to 6.8 in), the bill is 3.1 to 3.3 cm (1.2 to 1.3 in) and the tarsus is 4.1 to 4.5 cm (1.6 to 1.8 in).
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Zoothera major
- Authority
- (Ogawa, 1905)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Turdidae
- Genus
- Zoothera
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Its breeding habitat is mature subtropical broadleaved evergreen forest around humid valleys. Its diet includes invertebrates and fruit. It breeds in May and June, laying 3-4 eggs.
Conservation
- Population trend
- rising
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Common Bronzewing
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A plump, attractive brown pigeon with beautiful green and bronze iridescent coloration in the wings. Males have a bright yellow and white forehead that is absent in females. This species inhabits a great variety of habitats, and is often seen near a water source, alone or in pairs. When disturbed, they fly away in very direct flight with a loud clatter of wings. They only feed on the ground.
Yellow-browed Melidectes
Melidectes rufocrissalis
A fairly large honeyeater of mid-montane forest in eastern New Guinea. Body gray with white scaling on the back, olive wing feathers and buffy under the base of the tail. Pale green eye-ring and bare facial skin behind the eye with yellow lines above and behind. Similar to Belford’s Melidectes which it hybridizes with, but Yellow-browned has a pale bill and red wattles on the throat. Calls, loud parrotlike screeches similar to those of Belford’s Melidectes.
Green-and-rufous Kingfisher
Chloroceryle inda
Fairly small kingfisher, unique with its green back and entirely rufous belly. Most similar to American Pygmy Kingfisher but nearly twice as large, and without American Pygmy's white lower belly. Sexes similar, but female has speckled green band across chest. Found singly along slow-moving streams or swamps. Usually seen perched inconspicuously just above the water.
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