Bassian thrush

Bassian thrush
Conservation status

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Turdidae
Genus: Zoothera
Species: Z. lunulata
Binomial name
Zoothera lunulata
(Latham, 1801)
Subspecies
  • Z. l. cuneata
  • Z. l. halmaturina
  • Z. l. lunulata
  • Z. l. macrorhyncha
  • Z. l. macrorhyncha
  • Z. l. papuensis

The Bassian thrush (Zoothera lunulata), commonly known as the olive-tailed thrush, is a medium-sized mostly insectivorous thrush found predominantly in southeastern Australia and Tasmania. The thrushes range from 27 to 29 cm (11 in) in length and average 100 g (3.5 oz).[2]

It is estimated that the rangewide population is large, though no official count has ever been established.[3]

The Bassian thrush lives in shrubland, forests, and rainforests.[4] It is non-migratory. Though affected by human destruction of its natural habitats, its range is so large that the impact is negligible.[3]

The thrush ranges in color from brown to an olive color, with a white ring around its eyes and black bars on its back, rear, and head. Its underbody is paler, with dark scalloping, and its wings have a dark bar running the length of the underside.[2]

References

  1. BirdLife International (2012). "Zoothera lunulata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Birds in Backyards: Bassian Thrush". Birdlife Australia. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "Species factsheet: Bassian Thrush Zoothera lunulata". BirdLife International. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  4. "Species Zoothera lunulata (Latham 1801): Bassian Thrush". Australian Government: Department of the Environment. Retrieved 25 July 2014.