Taiwan thrush

The Taiwan thrush (Turdus niveiceps) is a bird in the thrush family. It is endemic to the island of Taiwan.

Taiwan thrush
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Dinosauria
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Turdidae
Genus: Turdus
Species:
T. niveiceps
Binomial name
Turdus niveiceps
(Hellmayr, 1919)

Taxonomy

It was formerly considered a subspecies of the island thrush (T. poliocephalus), but genetic studies indicate that it is not closely related, and it displays some characteristics such as heavy sexual dimorphism not known from any other island thrush subspecies. It was reclassified as a distinct species by the IOC in 2021.[1][2][3]

Description

The male Taiwan thrush has black upperparts except for a white head and throat. The underparts are mainly dark orange with a blackish upper breast. The female has similar patterning but is duller, with a brown back, grayish brown head with a white streak behind the eye, buff throat and upper breast streaked brown, and with duller orange underparts. Its bill, legs and feet are yellow. Males and females are similar in size, about 22 cm in length.[1]

Distribution and habitat

The species is a rare resident of central Taiwan's mountain forests at altitudes of 1800–2500 m.[1]

Behaviour

Feeding

The Taiwan thrush forages through trees, low vegetation, and on the ground in leaf litter. Its diet includes a variety of invertebrates as well as seeds, berries and fruit.[1]

See also

References
  1. Birding in Taiwan: Island Thrush
  2. Collar, N.J. (December 2004). Endemic Subspecies of Taiwan birds — first impressions. BirdingASIA 2.
  3. "Species Updates – IOC World Bird List". Retrieved 2021-05-27.
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