Turdus feae
The Grey-sided Thrush (*Turdus feae*) is a medium-sized passerine, measuring approximately 23-25 cm (9-10 inches) in length, characterized by its distinctive plumage. Adults exhibit a greyish head and nape that sharply contrasts with an olive-brown back, while its most striking feature, lending it its common name, is the rufous-orange coloration of its flanks, bordered by whitish underparts. It possesses a dark bill with a yellowish base, pinkish-brown legs, and a dark eye subtly framed by a ...
Breeds in dense, moist montane evergreen or mixed broadleaf forests, often with bamboo undergrowth, typically at elevations of 1,500-2,500 meters. Winters in broadleaf evergreen forests, often in foothills, extending to lower elevations.
Feeds primarily on insects (beetles, ants, larvae), earthworms, and other invertebrates found in the leaf litter and soil, supplemented with various berries and fruits, particularly during the winter months.
This thrush is primarily diurnal but is notoriously shy and secretive, often remaining hidden in dense undergrowth, making observations challenging. It forages mostly on the forest floor, hopping quietly to glean invertebrates from leaf litter, probing soft soil with its bill, and occasionally co...
The Grey-sided Thrush possesses a highly restricted and disjunct breeding range within the eastern Himalayas and adjacent regions. It breeds in Northeast India, specifically in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Manipur, extending into northern Myanmar and southwestern China, primarily in Yunnan pr...
Least Concern
- The Grey-sided Thrush was named after Leonardo Fea, an Italian zoologist and explorer who collected the species' type specimen in Myanmar in 1888. - It is considered one of the most elusive and sought-after thrushes in Asia due to its secretive nature and remote habitat. - Its breeding grounds ...