Scaly thrush facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Scaly thrush |
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| From East Java, Indonesia. | |
| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Zoothera
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| Species: |
dauma
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The scaly thrush (Zoothera dauma) is a fascinating bird. It belongs to the thrush family, called Turdidae. This bird gets its name from the cool scale-like patterns on its feathers!
Contents
Where the Scaly Thrush Lives
This bird likes to live in wet, coniferous forests. You can find them mainly in the Himalayas and through parts of Malaysia. These forests are often called taiga and are perfect homes for them.
What Does the Scaly Thrush Look Like?
Scaly thrushes are medium-sized birds. They are about 27 to 31 centimeters long. That's roughly the length of a school ruler! Both male and female birds look very similar. They have black patterns that look like scales. These scales are on a lighter white or yellowish body.
When a scaly thrush flies, you might notice a special feature. They have a black band on their white underwings. This helps tell them apart from other birds. The male scaly thrush has a loud, clear song. It sounds like a mechanical whistle. He sings phrases that last about one second. Then he pauses for 5 to 10 seconds before singing again. It sounds like twee...tuuu....tuuu....tuuu.
Different Types of Scaly Thrushes
Scientists group animals based on how they are related. For the scaly thrush, there are several different types. These types are sometimes called "races" or "subspecies." Some scientists even think some of these types are completely separate species!
For example, there's a type called Z. aurea, or the White's thrush. This one travels a lot. It lives in Siberia and northeast Asia. Another type is Z. neilgherriensis, the Nilgiri thrush. This bird lives in the hills of southwest India.
There's also the Z. imbricata, or Sri Lanka thrush. This one lives only in the hills of Sri Lanka. It's a bit smaller and has a longer beak. The main type, Z. d. dauma, is the one that breeds in the Himalaya. It moves to lower hills in winter. Another type, Z. d. horsfieldi, lives in Indonesia. You can find it on islands like Sumatra and Java.
Scientists are still studying these birds. They are trying to figure out exactly how all these different types are related. It's like a big family tree that's still being drawn!
Scaly Thrush Behaviour and Life Cycle
The scaly thrush is a very shy bird. It likes to stay hidden in thick bushes and trees. It builds its nest in trees. The nest is a neat cup shape. The female bird lays three or four dull green eggs.
This bird eats many different things. It is omnivorous, which means it eats both plants and animals. Its diet includes a variety of insects, earthworms, and berries.
