Chestnut-backed Thrush
Geokichla dohertyi
A striking thrush with a black-and-white head pattern, a chestnut back, prominent white wing markings, a black chest, large black splotching down the flanks, and a white belly. Juveniles show chestnut spots above, black-spotted buffy underparts, and buff wingbars. Found in forests in the lowlands and foothills, foraging singly on the ground. Restricted to the Lesser Sundas. Separated from Chestnut-capped Thrush by chestnut back, black cap, and small white throat. Song consists of rich cadences, typical of thrushes. Call is a quiet, thin rasping note.
Identification
The chestnut-backed thrush (Geokichla dohertyi) is a ground thrush species endemic to Lombok, Timor and the Lesser Sunda Islands in Indonesia. The species is rapidly declining and it is already extinct on Lombok and possibly on Lesser Sunda. A European species, the fieldfare, was once also known by this name [1]. The binomial name of this bird commemorates the American entomologist William Doherty.
Taxonomy
Genus: Geokichla; Family: Turdidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Geokichla dohertyi
- Authority
- Hartert, EJO, 1896
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Turdidae
- Genus
- Geokichla
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
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Sephanoides fernandensis
Stunning and rather large hummingbird, found only on Robinson Crusoe Island in the Juan Fernandez archipelago. Locally fairly common in gardens, forest edges, native scrub, and groves of non-native Eucalyptus trees. Male is bright rusty orange overall with iridescent “firecrown” and an amazing song. Female looks very different: green above with a blue crown and flashy white tail sides, and white below with blue-green spotting. Smaller and very differently plumaged Green-backed Firecrown also occurs in same areas.
White-tailed Hawk
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Cathartes melambrotus
Widespread and common vulture in lowland rainforest. Head may not appear yellow unless seen at close range. Best identified by steady flight with wings held at a slight dihedral. Similar to Turkey Vulture, but has broader wings which it holds flatter and does not teeter from side to side as often. Occurs in rainforest, cities, and agricultural areas.
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