Malayan whistling thrush facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Malayan whistling thrush
Conservation status
Near Threatened (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Muscicapidae
Genus:	Myophonus
Species:	M. robinsoni
Binomial name
Myophonus robinsoni Ogilvie-Grant, 1905
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Synonyms
Myiophonus robinsoni Ogilvie-Grant, 1905 [orth. error]

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The Malayan whistling thrush (Myophonus robinsoni) is a beautiful bird. It lives only in the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia. This bird is part of the Muscicapidae family, which includes many types of thrushes and flycatchers. Sadly, its population is shrinking. This is mainly because it is losing its natural home.

How This Bird Got Its Name

A scientist named H. C. Robinson first collected this bird. Then, another scientist, William Robert Ogilvie-Grant, officially described it in 1905. He named it Myiophoneus robinsoni after Mr. Robinson. This is how the bird got its scientific name.

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  This Malayan Whistling-thrush was collected by H. C. Robinson. It is now kept at the World Museum.

Where the Malayan Whistling Thrush Lives

This thrush's natural habitat is in mountain forests. You can usually find it close to streams. It lives at high places, from about 750 to 1,750 meters (2,460 to 5,740 feet) up. These areas are in the central part of peninsular Malaysia.

Historically, the Malayan whistling thrush lived in places like the Cameron Highlands. However, recent studies have not found it there. Since 1980, it has only been seen for sure in Fraser's Hill. This suggests it might have a very small living area.

What the Malayan Whistling Thrush Looks Like

This bird is about 25 to 26 centimeters (10 inches) long. Male birds have wings that are about 14 to 15 centimeters (5.5 to 6 inches) long. Females have slightly shorter wings, around 13 centimeters (5 inches). They weigh about 87 to 105 grams (3 to 3.7 ounces).

The male Malayan whistling thrush is mostly black-blue. Parts of its head are a deep purplish-blue color. It also has a patch of shiny metallic blue on its wings. Males and females look very similar. However, the female is a bit browner and slightly smaller. Young birds look even darker, almost sooty.

Behaviour and Life Cycle

The Malayan whistling thrush makes a call that sounds like tseee. Its song includes "fluty and scratchy notes." It probably eats insects. Scientists have seen these birds breeding in March and September.

When they breed, the female usually lays 1 to 2 eggs. These eggs are bluish-grey with small pinkish-brown spots. The nest is shaped like a half-cup. It is built using dried plant materials.

Why This Bird Is Near Threatened

Experts believe there are about 2,500 to 9,999 adult Malayan whistling thrushes left. The total number of these birds is thought to be between 3,500 and 15,000. Sadly, this number is believed to be going down.

Even though some parts of its home are still untouched, the bird faces threats. Its habitat is being destroyed or damaged. This happens when forests are turned into farms. Water pollution and invasive species also harm its home. Too much building and development also cause problems. Because this bird might live in a small area and have a small population, it is listed as near threatened. This means it could become endangered soon if things do not change.