Turdus daguae
The Dagua Thrush (Turdus daguae) is a striking medium-sized passerine, typically measuring 23-25 cm (9-10 inches) in length, known for its distinctive plumage. Adults exhibit a slate-gray head and breast that contrasts sharply with an olive-brown back and paler, often buffy-whitish, belly. A prominent feature is its bright yellow bill and a conspicuous yellow eye-ring, which stand out against its darker head. This species is taxonomically classified within the large and diverse Turdidae famil...
This thrush inhabits subtropical and tropical moist montane forests, forest edges, and secondary growth. It is typically found at elevations ranging from 800 to 2,500 meters (2,600-8,200 feet) above sea level.
Primarily omnivorous, its diet consists mainly of a variety of insects and other invertebrates, supplemented significantly by small fruits and berries. It forages by gleaning from foliage and probing the leaf litter on the forest floor.
The Dagua Thrush is primarily diurnal, foraging actively during daylight hours and roosting solitarily or in small groups within dense foliage at night. It is an opportunistic forager, predominantly seeking food on the forest floor among leaf litter, but also gleaning insects from branches and pl...
The Dagua Thrush has a relatively restricted geographic distribution, confined to the western slopes of the Andes in northwestern South America. Its primary range extends from west-central Colombia, specifically through departments such as Chocó and Valle del Cauca, southward into northwestern Ec...
Least Concern
- The Dagua Thrush was only relatively recently recognized as a distinct species, having been considered a subspecies of the Glossy-black Thrush (Turdus serranus) until 2008. - Its bright yellow bill and eye-ring are key field marks that distinguish it from similar thrush species in its range. - ...