Taiwan Whistling-Thrush

Myophonus insularis

Large songbird, blackish-blue with metallic sheen, appearing black from a distance and in poor lighting. Up close, a brighter blue patch on the shoulder and dark red irides are diagnostic. Frequently bobs and fans tail. Inhabits streamside areas in shaded forests. Gives piercing whistles frequently; less frequently heard song is melodic and consists of assorted whistles and trills.

识别特征

Its length is 28 to 30 cm (11 to 12 in). The wings are 15 to 16 cm (5.9 to 6.3 in) long. It is mostly blackish-blue. Some feathers are navy blue or metallic blue. Some underwing coverts have white bases. The underparts are blackish. Its neck, breast and flanks are scaled. Its eyes are deep red, and its lores, bill and legs are black. The two sexes are alike. The juvenile is dull blackish, with a bluish tinge. The gape of the juvenile is yellowish.

分类信息

The Taiwan whistling thrush was collected by Robert Swinhoe and described as Myiophoneus insularis by John Gould in 1862. Swinhoe called it the "Formosan cavern-bird" because it inhabits the dark, forested ravines in the mountains. It was formerly considered a subspecies of the Malabar whistling thrush (Myophonus horsfieldii). The species is monotypic.

学名
Myophonus insularis
命名信息
Gould, 1863
Passeriformes
Muscicapidae
Myophonus

分布与栖息地

This thrush is endemic to Taiwan. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It is found at elevations of up to 2,700 m (8,900 ft).

迁徙
Resident species

行为

Activity is greatest at dawn and dusk. It jumps among rocks in forest streams. It often opens and closes its tail when it is sitting on a rock. Its call is a sharp whistle, described as screee. Its song is loud and melodious whistles.<p>The Taiwan whistling thrush is monogamous. The breeding season is from late March to early September. There are two broods each breeding season. Nests are usually built in holes in rocks or trees. Nests are also built in human structures. They are made of twigs, roots, stems and moss. There are 2 to 4 eggs in a clutch. The eggs are pinkish with brownish or greyish marks. The female incubates the eggs. Incubation takes about 12 to 14 days. Newly hatched chicks are altricial. They have few feathers. Both parents feed the nestlings. Chicks leave the nest after about 21 days.<p>The diet consists of shrimp, earthworms, insects, frogs, reptiles, and fish, obtained by foraging in or near streams.

保护状况

种群趋势
declining

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分布

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