Geokichla wardii
The Pied Thrush, Geokichla wardii, is an exquisitely marked passerine bird renowned for its striking sexual dimorphism. Males boast a glossy black head, throat, and upperparts, dramatically contrasted by a brilliant white supercilium, wing-bar, shoulder patches, and clean white underparts with a distinct black breast band. Females, by contrast, are much more cryptically patterned, featuring olive-brown upperparts and a grayish-white belly heavily scaled with crescentic dark markings, presenti...
Inhabits dense, moist broadleaf evergreen and deciduous forests, typically found in submontane and montane regions between 600-2800 meters during breeding, descending to lower elevations in winter.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on a variety of invertebrates such as beetles, ants, earthworms, and grubs, supplemented by berries and fallen fruit, especially during winter. Forages mainly on the forest floor by turning over leaf litter and probing soft soil.
Diurnal and often secretive, the Pied Thrush typically forages on the forest floor, diligently flipping leaf litter with its bill or feet to uncover hidden invertebrates. During the breeding season, males become more conspicuous, perching prominently within the forest canopy to deliver their dist...
The Pied Thrush is an obligate intra-Asian migrant, undertaking a substantial journey between its seasonal ranges. Its breeding grounds are concentrated within the submontane and montane forests of the Himalayas, extending from Himachal Pradesh in northern India eastward through Uttarakhand, Nepa...
Least Concern
- The male Pied Thrush is often considered one of the most strikingly patterned thrushes in Asia, a true 'pied' masterpiece. - Despite its beauty, it's quite a shy and retiring bird, often heard before it's seen, especially during the breeding season. - It undertakes a significant north-south mig...