Seram Thrush

Geokichla joiceyi

A distinctive, little-known thrush from the island of Seram. A dark bird with a dull rufous crown, dark brown upperparts with clean white dots on the wings, blackish underparts with a white belly, and white scaling on the flanks. Rarely seen. Terrestrial, observed singly or in pairs in flat areas inside foothill and mountain forests. No other similar thrushes occur on Seram. Calls include a two-note high-pitched whistle, the first note short, the second rapidly rising: “tew-teweeeeeee.” Also gives short, sharp descending “tsew” notes.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Geokichla joiceyi
Authority
(Rothschild & Hartert, EJO, 1921)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Turdidae
Genus
Geokichla

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

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Forbes's Plover

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Thinornis forbesi

Pretty plover that is found in both wet and dry habitats. Note the black cap, gray forehead, white stripe behind the eye, and two black bands across the breast. In flight, shows a small amount of white on the trailing edge of the wings and the corners of the tail. Found in a variety of open habitats, such as short grassland (including recently burned areas), cultivation, and muddy wetland edges. At least partially migratory. The call is a plaintive “treeow” which is sometimes given in a rolling series. Very similar to Three-banded Plover, but separated by the dark gray rather than pale forehead, and by the thicker lower breast band.

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