| Orange ground thrush | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Turdidae |
| Genus: | Geokichla |
| Species: | G. gurneyi
|
| Binomial name | |
| Geokichla gurneyi (
Hartlaub, 1864)
| |
| Synonyms | |
|
Zoothera gurneyi | |
The orange ground thrush (Geokichla gurneyi) is a species of bird in the family Turdidae.
Taxonomy
The orange ground thrush was described as Turdus gurneyi by Hartlaub in 1864. [2] It is named after John Henry Gurney Sr., an English banker, politician and ornithologist. [3] There are five subspecies: G. g. chuka found in central Kenya; G. g. raineyi found in southeastern Kenya; G. g. otomitra found in western Angola, southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, and northern Malawi; G. g. gurneyi found in eastern South Africa; and G. g. disruptans found in central Malawi to northeastern South Africa. [4]
Distribution and habitat
Its habitat is montane forests, [2] namely the afromontane of southeastern Africa. The size of its range is estimated at 5,370,000 km2 (2,070,000 sq mi). [1] It is found at elevations of 500–2,500 m (1,600–8,200 ft). [1]
Description
Its length is 21–23 cm (8.3–9.1 in). The male weighs 44.5–64.5 g (1.57–2.28 oz), and the female weighs 48.5–76 g (1.71–2.68 oz). [2] The upperparts are olive-brown; some parts have a grey tinge. [2] The flight feathers are blackish-brown. There are two bars on the wing. [2] The throat, breast and flanks are orange. The vent is white. There is an incomplete white eye-ring. [2] The beak is dark. [5] The legs are pink. [2] The female is similar to the male but is less bright. [2] The immature has mottled underparts. [5]
Behaviour
The orange ground thrush is crepuscular. [2] It is sedentary, but makes altitudinal movements in some regions. [6] Its call is tsip and cureek. Its song is a series of several mellow and melodious notes. [2] It feeds on the ground. Its diet is earthworms, insects, molluscs and fruits. [2] The breeding season is January to May in Kenya, August to December in Tanzania, October to January in Malawi, and September to December in Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe. [2] In breeding pairs, the female has been observed to consistently weigh more than the male. [2] The nest is a deep cup built of moss, twigs, leaves, roots and ferns. [2] There are 2 to 3 turquoise-blue eggs. [2] The eggs are incubated for 15 days. The fledging period is 18 to 20 days. [2]
Status
Its population size is not known. [1] Its population is declining because of habitat loss. The IUCN Red List has listed the species as least concern because it has a large range and its population is not declining quickly enough for it to be considered vulnerable. [1]
References
- ^ a b c d e BirdLife International (2018). "Geokichla gurneyi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T22708426A131947992. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22708426A131947992.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Clement, Peter; Hathway, Ren (2010). Thrushes. Bloomsbury. pp. 244–245. ISBN 9781408135419.
- ^ Jobling, James A. (2010). Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. Bloomsbury. p. 181. ISBN 9781408133262.
- ^ Gill, F.; Donsker, D. (eds.). "Thrushes". IOC World Bird List Version 6.4. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
- ^ a b Newman, Kenneth (2002). Newman's Birds of Southern Africa. Struik. p. 332. ISBN 9781868727353.
- ^ Dowsett, R. J.; Dowsett-Lemaire, F. (2001). "The Atlas of Southern African Birds" (PDF). Ostrich. 72 (1–2): 159. Bibcode: 2001Ostri..72...62D. doi: 10.2989/00306520109485288. S2CID 83952982.