Kurrichane Thrush

The Kurrichane thrush, a member of the Turdidae family, is a modestly sized bird, measuring 21 to 23 cm in length and tipping the scales at approximately 46 to 82 grams. It presents a grey head, upperparts, and breast, while its belly is a contrasting whitish hue adorned with orange flanks. A white throat with distinct black streaks on the sides further accentuates its appearance. The bill of this species is a striking orange, fading to a paler yellow at the base, and its legs exhibit a range of colors. Both male and female Kurrichane thrushes share a similar plumage.

Identification Tips

When attempting to identify the Kurrichane thrush, look for its grey head and upperparts, white throat with black streaks, and the distinctive orange flanks. The orange bill, especially with its paler base, is a key feature to distinguish it from other species. Observing both sexes reveals no significant differences, simplifying identification.

Habitat

The Kurrichane thrush favors the dry savanna and woodland habitats, with a particular affinity for miombo woodlands, which provide the necessary cover and foraging grounds.

Distribution

This thrush species has a broad range across central to southern Africa, with sightings confirmed in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Conservation status

The Kurrichane thrush is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating that, at present, there are no immediate threats to its population levels that would warrant a higher degree of conservation action.