Orange-headed Thrush

The Orange-headed Thrush (Geokichla citrina) is a bird of striking plumage, with the male sporting a vivid orange head and underparts contrasted against uniform grey upperparts. Females and juveniles are more subdued, with browner upper parts and a less vibrant orange hue.

Identification Tips

Adult males are distinguished by their entirely orange head and underparts, and grey upperparts. Females and juveniles are similar but have browner or more olive upperparts. The species is characterized by a distinctive underwing pattern with a strong white band, aiding in identification.

Habitat

This species thrives in well-wooded areas, showing a preference for shady, damp environments. It can be found in moist broadleaved evergreen woodlands with medium-density undergrowth, as well as bamboo forests and secondary growth.

Distribution

The Orange-headed Thrush is a common resident across the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia, extending to southern China. Some subspecies are migratory, wintering at lower altitudes within the region.

Behaviour

Typically solitary or in pairs, the Orange-headed Thrush is a shy and secretive bird. It is more easily observed than other thrushes in its genus, especially when foraging for food on the forest floor at dawn and dusk.

Song & Calls

The vocal repertoire includes a soft "chuk" or "tchuk," a screeching "teer-teer-teer," and a thin "tsee" or "dzef" in flight. Its song is a melodious series of sweet notes, often incorporating imitations of other bird species.

Breeding

Nests are built by both sexes, comprising a shallow cup of twigs and leaves, situated in trees or bushes. The species lays cream or pale-tinted eggs with lilac blotches and reddish-brown spots, which are incubated for about two weeks.

Diet and Feeding

An omnivorous bird, the Orange-headed Thrush consumes a variety of insects, earthworms, and fruit. It is particularly active at dawn and dusk, foraging in the leaf litter for food.

Conservation status

Classified as Least Concern, the Orange-headed Thrush has a large population size and extensive range. However, it faces threats from trapping for the cage-bird trade in some areas, and habitat loss in Southeast Asia.