Turdus infuscatus
The Black Thrush, Turdus infuscatus, is a striking member of the thrush family, renowned for its almost entirely dark plumage and melodious song. Adult males are distinguished by their glossy black body, contrasting sharply with a bright yellow bill, a distinct yellow orbital ring, and vivid orange-yellow legs and feet. Females, while similar, present a duller sooty-brown to blackish coloration. Measuring approximately 23-26 cm (9-10 inches) in length and weighing between 82-110 grams (2.9-3....
This thrush primarily inhabits high-elevation, humid evergreen and cloud forests, often favoring areas with dense undergrowth and shade coffee plantations. It is typically found at elevations ranging from 1500 to 3000 meters.
Their diet primarily consists of invertebrates such as earthworms, beetles, grubs, and snails, supplemented by a significant amount of small fruits and berries. They forage by probing the ground and gleaning from low foliage.
Black Thrushes are diurnal, often most active during the cooler hours of dawn and dusk. They primarily forage on the forest floor, meticulously sifting through leaf litter, but also glean insects and fruits from low vegetation and branches. During the breeding season, males are highly territorial...
The Black Thrush is resident throughout the highlands of Central America, with its distribution extending from southern Mexico, particularly the states of Chiapas and Oaxaca, southeastward through Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Its range continues into Costa Rica and western Pan...
Least Concern
- The Black Thrush is often considered one of the darkest-plumaged thrushes in the Neotropics, making its bright yellow bill a striking contrast. - Despite its name, the female Black Thrush is typically a sooty-brown rather than true black, providing a subtle but consistent sexual dimorphism. - T...