Abyssinian thrush

Abyssinian thrush
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Turdidae
Genus: Turdus
Species: T. abyssinicus
Binomial name
Turdus abyssinicus
JF Gmelin (1789)
Synonyms

Turdus olivaceus abyssinicus

The Abyssinian thrush or African mountain thrush (Turdus abyssinicus) is a passerine bird in the Turdidae family. It has recently been split[1] from the olive thrush (Turdus olivaceus) on genetic differences. Their ranges do not overlap. The southern and northern populations may be distinct species. The Abyssinian thrush is found in Eritrea and other parts of the Horn of Africa, as well as an area to the southeast extending from the African Great Lakes region to Mozambique.[2]

The bird is found in forests, suburban parks and gardens and plantations.

Description

It is 22 centimetres (8.7 in) long. This variable forest thrush is generally darker than the African thrush and has an orange (not yellow) bill. It is also darker than the Kurrichane thrush and has no malar stripes. Generally the birds get darker at higher altitudes.[2]

References

  1. "IOC World Bird Name (version 2.4)". 2010. Archived from the original on 24 March 2010. Retrieved 9 April 2010.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Sinclair & Ryan 2003, p. 440

Works cited