Brown-winged whistling thrush facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brown-winged whistling thrush |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Myophonus
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| Species: |
castaneus
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| Synonyms | |
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Myophonus glaucinus castaneus |
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The brown-winged whistling thrush (Myophonus castaneus) is a cool bird found only on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. It's also known as the Sumatran whistling thrush or chestnut-winged whistling thrush. This bird is part of a group called whistling thrushes. They are known for their beautiful songs!
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Meet the Brown-Winged Whistling Thrush
This special bird is a type of passerine bird. Passerine birds are also called "perching birds." They have feet designed to grip branches. The brown-winged whistling thrush belongs to the Myophonus genus. This group is part of the Muscicapidae family, which includes many types of Old World flycatchers and thrushes.
A Unique Sumatran Bird
The brown-winged whistling thrush is endemic to Sumatra. This means it lives naturally only on this island. You won't find it anywhere else in the wild!
For a long time, scientists thought this bird was the same as the Javan whistling thrush and the Bornean whistling thrush. Together, they were sometimes called the "Sunda whistling thrush." But now, most experts agree it's a separate species. This decision was made because of differences in its feathers and body size.
What Does the Brown-Winged Whistling Thrush Look Like?
This thrush is about 25 centimetres (10 inches) long. That's about the length of a ruler!
Body Features
Its bill is black and quite slender. It measures about 7.3 millimetres deep. This bill is thinner than those of its relatives, the Bornean and Javan whistling thrushes. Its legs and feet are a dark brown color.
Feather Colors
The adult male has a striking look. His head, chest, and shoulders are a dark blue. The rest of his feathers are a rich chestnut color.
The adult female and younger birds look a bit different. They are mostly a dull chestnut-brown. They have a blue patch on their shoulder, but it's not as bright as the male's. The Bornean and Javan whistling thrushes do not have any chestnut colors at all. This is one way to tell them apart!
What Does It Sound Like?
The brown-winged whistling thrush has a very distinct voice. It makes a loud, clear whistling call. It also has a harsh, grating sound. These calls help them communicate in the forest.
Where Does the Brown-Winged Whistling Thrush Live?
This bird lives in montane forests. These are forests found in mountainous areas. You can find them at elevations from 400 to 1500 metres above sea-level.
Forest Life
They usually stay near streams within the forest. They prefer to live in the middle and lower parts of the forest canopy. This means they are often found among the branches and leaves, but not usually at the very top.
Conservation Status
The brown-winged whistling thrush is considered a scarce bird. This means there are not many of them. Their numbers are believed to be going down. This is mainly because of deforestation. Deforestation is when forests are cut down. This removes the homes and food sources for many animals, including this special thrush. Protecting their forest homes is very important for their survival.
