Turdus nigriceps
The Andean Slaty Thrush, *Turdus nigriceps*, is a medium-sized passerine showcasing the characteristic robust build of the *Turdus* genus, typically spanning approximately 23-26 cm (9-10 inches) in length and weighing around 65-80 grams. Males are striking with a distinctive glossy black head, contrasting sharply with their uniform dark slaty-gray body plumage. They possess a bright yellow-orange bill and a prominent yellow eye-ring, while their legs are duller yellow-orange. Females, in cont...
Inhabiting subtropical and tropical moist montane forests, cloud forests, and forest edges, the Andean Slaty Thrush is typically found at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 3,500 meters.
The Andean Slaty Thrush primarily feeds on a diverse array of insects and other invertebrates, supplemented by a significant intake of fruits and berries, foraging both on the ground and within the forest canopy.
The Andean Slaty Thrush is primarily diurnal, actively foraging during the day and roosting inconspicuously within dense foliage at night. They employ a combination of ground-gleaning, using their sturdy bills to turn over leaf litter for invertebrates, and gleaning fruits directly from trees and...
The Andean Slaty Thrush is a resident species distributed along the Andes mountain range in South America. Its breeding range extends from Colombia, southward through Ecuador and Peru, into Bolivia, and reaching northwest Argentina. The species exhibits an extensive elevational range, typically f...
Least Concern
- The male Andean Slaty Thrush's strikingly black head is a key identification feature and gives the species its scientific name 'nigriceps', meaning "black head. - Despite its name, this thrush isn't entirely "slaty" – males have a glossy black head, while females are more dusky brown, showcasin...