Long-tailed Thrush

Zoothera dixoni

Earthen-toned and rather heavy-bellied thrush. Matte brown above and white below with dense black scaling on the underparts. Chinese Thrush and species of the Alpine Thrush complex can be similar; note Long-tailed’s wingbars, fine scaling (not solid dots), and proportionally longer tail. Forages on the forest floor in foothill and montane forest, especially in areas with rhododendrons and conifers; descends in elevation in the winter. Song sounds tired and drawn-out, consisting of long buzzy notes and hoarse warbling.

Identification

The long-tailed thrush (Zoothera dixoni) is a species of bird in the family Turdidae. It is found from the central and eastern Himalayas to south-central and south-western China. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests and subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland. The scientific name, Zoothera dixoni, is named after ornithologist Charles Dixon.

Taxonomy

Genus: Zoothera; Family: Turdidae; Order: Passeriformes.

Scientific name
Zoothera dixoni
Authority
(Seebohm, 1881)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Turdidae
Genus
Zoothera

Range and habitat

Breeding range: OR : c, e Himalayas to sc, sw China. Non-breeding range: n se Asia.

Breeding range
OR : c, e Himalayas to sc, sw China
Non-breeding range
n se Asia
Migration
Vertical migration

Behavior

Migration pattern: Vertical migration.

Conservation

Population trend
unknown

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

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