Turdus nigrorum
The Negros Island Thrush, *Turdus nigrorum*, is a striking yet elusive songbird endemic to the West Visayan islands of the Philippines. This relatively small thrush measures approximately 18-20 cm (7-8 inches) in length, characterized by a predominantly dark brown plumage. Its head and throat are notably darker, appearing almost black, contrasting subtly with the rich reddish-brown underparts, which transition to a white vent. Distinctive field marks include its dark black bill, dark legs, an...
Found exclusively in montane and submontane moist primary and mature secondary forest, typically at elevations ranging from 800 meters up to 2000+ meters, often near streams or damp areas.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on a variety of invertebrates found in the leaf litter, supplemented with small fruits and berries.
This thrush is a diurnal and rather shy species, spending most of its time foraging solitarily or in pairs on the forest floor, often in dense undergrowth. It employs a typical thrush foraging strategy, hopping deliberately through leaf litter, pausing to listen, and then probing with its bill fo...
The Negros Island Thrush is entirely endemic to the central Philippine islands of Negros and Panay. Its distribution is highly localized, confined to the remaining montane and submontane primary and mature secondary forests on these two islands. On Negros, significant populations are found on Mt....
Vulnerable
- The Negros Island Thrush is one of the most geographically restricted thrush species in the world, found only on two islands. - Despite its name, it is also found on the neighboring island of Panay, making it a dual-island endemic. - Its scientific name, *nigrorum*, Latin for 'of the dark ones,...