Ashy thrush facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ashy thrush |
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| Ashy thrush at La Mesa Eco Park, Quezon City. | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Geokichla
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| Species: |
cinerea
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| Synonyms | |
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Zoothera cinerea |
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The ashy thrush (Geokichla cinerea) is a special type of bird. It is also called the ashy ground-thrush. This bird belongs to the thrush family, called Turdidae.
You can only find the ashy thrush in the Philippines. It lives on the islands of Luzon and Mindoro. These birds make their homes in tropical forests. They prefer forests that are moist and either low in elevation or higher up in the mountains. Sadly, the ashy thrush is in danger. Its home is disappearing, and people sometimes catch them illegally to sell.
Contents
What Does the Ashy Thrush Look Like?
The ashy thrush is a medium-sized bird. It usually stays on the ground in the forest. Its back and upper parts are a pretty ashy-gray color. It has cool black and white stripes on its wings. Its face also has black and white markings.
The bird's belly is white. It has black spots, especially on its chest. The ashy thrush looks a bit like other thrushes, but it's smaller. It has clear spots instead of scale-like patterns on its belly. It also has a distinct black line going through its eye.
What Do They Eat?
Ashy thrushes are ground birds. This means they spend a lot of time looking for food on the forest floor. They mostly eat earthworms and other small insects.
Where Do They Live and How Are They Doing?
These birds live in wet tropical forests. They can be found in both old, untouched forests and forests that are growing back. Most ashy thrushes live up to about 1,100 meters (3,600 feet) above sea level. Some have been seen even higher, up to 1,560 meters (5,100 feet).
The ashy thrush is considered a Vulnerable animal. This means it is at high risk of becoming extinct. Experts believe there are only about 6,000 to 15,000 adult birds left. Their numbers are going down.
The biggest problem for the ashy thrush is habitat loss. Their forest homes are being cut down. This happens because of logging, turning forests into farms, building roads, and mining.
Protecting the Ashy Thrush
The ashy thrush lives in some protected areas. These include the Angat Watershed Forest Reserve and the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park. However, even in these protected places, forests are still being cut down. Hunting also continues in some areas. People sometimes catch these birds illegally to sell them.
Scientists and conservation groups are working to protect these birds. They hope to save the ashy thrush and its forest home for the future.
Images for kids
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Juvenile ashy thrush.
