Waigeo Shrikethrush

Colluricincla affinis

A chunky bird with a notably thick pale bill. Dark brown on the upperparts and paler brown below, with some blurry breast streaking. Found in the understory and at middle levels of humid forest, including secondary forest. Rich, melodious, variable song consists of several penetrating whistles, generally in an up-and-down pattern. Calls include “chek” and “whit” notes. Somewhat similar to Rusty Pitohui, but smaller, lacking rufous underparts, with a dark rather than pale eye.

Taxonomy

This species was formerly considered a conspecific member of the little shrikethrush complex. Genetic investigations of New Guinea populations of the little shrikethrush indicate high levels of genetic divergence, suggesting it comprised more than one species.

Scientific name
Colluricincla affinis
Authority
(Gray, GR, 1862)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Pachycephalidae
Genus
Colluricincla

Range and habitat

It is found on Waigeo in New Guinea. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.

Photos

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