Geokichla camaronensis
The Black-eared Ground Thrush (Geokichla camaronensis) is a captivating, yet elusive, passerine endemic to the dense rainforests of West-Central Africa. Measuring approximately 19-21 cm in length, this medium-sized thrush is characterized by its distinctive plumage: rich dark brown upperparts, a rufous wash on the flanks, and a clean white belly. Its most striking field mark, and the origin of its common name, is the prominent black ear-covert contrasting sharply with a bright white supercili...
This thrush primarily inhabits the dense undergrowth of tropical and subtropical moist lowland forests, including both primary and mature secondary rainforests, often near streams or swampy areas, typically occurring at elevations up to 1,200 meters.
Its diet primarily consists of various invertebrates such as insects (beetles, ants, larvae), worms, and snails, which it meticulously forages from the forest floor. It may occasionally supplement its diet with small fruits and berries.
The Black-eared Ground Thrush is an exceedingly shy and secretive bird, spending most of its time on the forest floor, where it forages solitarily or in pairs. Its daily activity is centered around gleaning invertebrates from the leaf litter, often using a distinct 'foot-trembling' technique to d...
The Black-eared Ground Thrush exhibits a somewhat fragmented distribution across West-Central Africa. Its core range spans from southeastern Nigeria and southwestern Cameroon, extending through Equatorial Guinea (including Bioko Island), Gabon, and the Republic of Congo. Isolated populations are ...
Least Concern
- The Black-eared Ground Thrush is so secretive that observing it requires immense patience and luck, often betraying its presence only by subtle movements in the leaf litter. - Its distinctive black ear-covert pattern, a key identification feature, is uncommon among many other thrush species in ...