Zoothera imbricata
The Sri Lanka Thrush, *Zoothera imbricata*, is a captivating, medium-sized thrush endemic to the montane cloud forests of Sri Lanka. Measuring approximately 18-20 cm in length and weighing around 48-62 grams, its most distinctive feature is its intricately scaled plumage. The upperparts are a rich, dark olive-brown, contrasting with warm rufous-chestnut underparts that are heavily fringed or scaled with black, giving it a mottled appearance. A prominent pale, often buffy-white, eye-ring stand...
Found exclusively in the dense, humid evergreen montane and submontane cloud forests of central and southwestern Sri Lanka, typically at elevations ranging from 750 to 1,800 meters.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on a variety of invertebrates such as earthworms, beetles, grubs, and other small arthropods found in the leaf litter of the forest floor.
This elusive thrush is predominantly terrestrial and crepuscular, often active in the dim light of dawn and dusk, though it can be seen foraging quietly throughout the day in shady undergrowth. It forages solitarily or in pairs, meticulously turning over leaf litter with its bill or feet to uncov...
The Sri Lanka Thrush is strictly endemic to the island nation of Sri Lanka, found exclusively in the south-central highlands. Its distribution is fragmented, confined primarily to the remaining patches of dense, humid evergreen montane and submontane cloud forests. Key strongholds include the Hor...
Vulnerable
- The Sri Lanka Thrush was long considered a subspecies of the Scaly Thrush (*Zoothera dauma*) before being recognized as a distinct species in 2008, highlighting its unique evolutionary path. - Its scientific name, *imbricata*, refers to its 'overlapping' or 'scaled' plumage pattern, a key ident...