Turdus hauxwelli
The Hauxwell's Thrush, *Turdus hauxwelli*, is a medium-sized passerine, measuring approximately 23-26 cm in length with a wingspan of 38-42 cm and weighing between 65-80 grams. Its plumage features a rich olive-brown on the upperparts, contrasting with a paler, often buff-washed underbelly, typically with a slightly mottled or streaked breast, especially in juveniles. Distinctive field marks include a prominent bright yellow eye-ring and a robust, glossy yellow bill, which stands out against ...
Primarily inhabits humid montane cloud forests and subtropical evergreen forests, frequently utilizing forest edges, clearings, and secondary growth from 800 to 2,500 meters in elevation.
Feeds predominantly on a diverse range of invertebrates, including earthworms, beetles, and larval insects, supplemented by a significant intake of small fruits and berries, primarily gleaned from the forest floor and understory vegetation.
Hauxwell's Thrushes are largely diurnal, exhibiting peak activity during dawn and dusk, often singing robustly from concealed perches. Foraging primarily involves ground gleaning for invertebrates and gleaning fruits from understory shrubs, using a characteristic head-cocking posture to detect pr...
The Hauxwell's Thrush is endemic to the humid montane and subtropical forests along the eastern slopes of the Andes, primarily ranging from southern Colombia through Ecuador and Peru, extending into western Bolivia. Its breeding range is concentrated in the mid-to-upper elevation cloud forests, t...
Least Concern
- The Hauxwell's Thrush was named after John Hauxwell, a lesser-known but prolific 19th-century collector who sent thousands of specimens from South America to European museums. - Its distinctive yellow eye-ring is thought to play a role in species recognition and mate selection in the dim light ...