Pied Thrush

The pied thrush, Geokichla wardii, presents a striking dichotomy in plumage between the sexes. Males are a bold black and white, with a pronounced white supercilium and white tips on the wing coverts, tertials, rump, and tail. Their underparts are white, adorned with black flank spots, and they boast yellow bills and legs. Females and juveniles, on the other hand, display a more subdued palette of dark brown replacing the black, and light brown in lieu of white, with scalier markings on the underside.

Identification Tips

This 22 cm thrush can be identified by its size and distinctive coloration. The male's black and white pattern is unmistakable, while the female's is more cryptic. The bill is less curved than that of some related species, and the female lacks the pale cheek spot seen in the female Siberian thrush. The third primary feather is the longest, with the second and fifth nearly equal in length, and the first primary is notably reduced.

Habitat

During the breeding season, the pied thrush inhabits thick woodlands in the Himalayas, at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 2,500 meters. In winter, they prefer similar but sometimes less wooded areas at altitudes of 750 to 1,500 meters.

Distribution

The pied thrush breeds from western Himachal Pradesh in the Himalayas to central Nepal, with its wintering grounds mainly in Sri Lanka and parts of southern India. They are migratory, and during their passage, they may fall prey to crows.

Behaviour

The pied thrush is often seen foraging alone or in pairs on the ground, but will retreat to the trees and remain motionless when disturbed. They can be quite secretive, blending into their surroundings with ease. In winter, they may form loose flocks.

Song & Calls

The song of the pied thrush is a series of squeaky notes followed by short trills, not as melodious as those of other thrush species.

Breeding

Breeding occurs from May to July. The nest is a deep cup lined with grass and mud, situated in a low tree fork. The clutch typically consists of 3-4 white or bluish eggs.

Diet and Feeding

Pied thrushes are omnivorous, with a diet leaning more towards insects than fruit.

Conservation status

The pied thrush is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it is not at immediate risk of population decline.