Black-billed nightingale-thrush facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black-billed nightingale-thrush |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Catharus
|
| Species: |
gracilirostris
|
 |
|
The black-billed nightingale-thrush (Catharus gracilirostris) is a small thrush bird. It lives only in the high mountains of Costa Rica and western Panama. This bird is known for its beautiful song.
Contents
About the Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush
What Does It Look Like?
The black-billed nightingale-thrush is a small bird. It is about 13.5 to 16 cm (5.3 to 6.3 in) long. It weighs around 21 g (0.74 oz), which is about as much as a few quarters.
Adult birds have olive-brown feathers on their backs. Their head has a grey top. Their belly is whitish, and their chest has an olive band. As its name suggests, its bill is black.
Young Birds
Young black-billed nightingale-thrushes look a bit different. Their head and belly are darker. They have a brown band across their chest. The belly also has brown marks.
Birds living in the Chiriqui mountains of western Panama are a little more reddish-brown. They are also paler underneath. Some people think these birds are a special type, called C. g. accentor.
Where Does It Live?
This thrush lives in wet mountain oak forests. It likes to stay in the undergrowth, which is the layer of plants and bushes below the main trees. You can find it in forests and areas where new plants are growing.
It usually lives in places higher than 1350 meters (about 4,400 feet) above sea level. It can even be found in areas with scrubby plants beyond the tree line.
Its Nest and Eggs
The black-billed nightingale-thrush builds a strong, cup-shaped nest. It is usually placed 1 to 5 meters (about 3 to 16 feet) high. The nest is built in a small tree or a bush. Female birds usually lay two eggs. These eggs are greenish-blue with brown spots.
What Does It Eat?
The black-billed nightingale-thrush usually looks for food close to the ground. It searches in plants or on the forest floor. It often forages alone or with a partner.
It moves by hopping and quickly dashing around. It stops often to look for food. Like other thrushes, it turns over fallen leaves to find insects and spiders. It also enjoys eating many small fruits. Even though it lives in thick forests, this bird is quite calm and not easily scared by people.
Its Song and Calls
The black-billed nightingale-thrush is known for its beautiful song. Its song sounds like three flute-like notes. These notes are followed by a fast, jumbled trill. When it makes a call, it sounds like a high, thin seet.
See also
In Spanish: Zorzalito piquinegro para niños
