Thai National Parks

Species of Thailand

Scaly thrush

Zoothera dauma

John Aubrey Clarendon Latham, 1790

In Thai: นกเดินดงลายเสือ

The scaly thrush (Zoothera dauma) is a member of the thrush family Turdidae.

Distribution and habitat

It breeds in wet coniferous taiga, mainly in the Himalayas through Malaysia.

Description

The sexes are similar, 27–31 cm long, with black scaling on a paler white or yellowish background. The most striking identification feature in flight is the black band on the white underwings, a feature shared with Siberian thrush. The male has a song which is a loud, far-carrying mechanical whistle, with 5-10 second pauses between each one second long phrase twee...tuuu....tuuu....tuuu.

Taxonomy

There are several races which are now often split into a varying number of separate species. Z. aurea (White's thrush), including the questionable subspecies Z. a. toratugumi, is the migratory Siberian and north-east Asian form. Z. neilgherriensis (Nilgiri thrush) is resident in the hills of southwest India. Z. imbricata (Sri Lanka thrush) is endemic to the hills of Sri Lanka and is particularly distinctive, being smaller, long-billed and rufous below. Z. d. dauma (scaly thrush) breeds in the Himalaya and migrates to the foothills in winter. Z. d. horsfieldi (Horsfield's thrush) is resident in Indonesia on the islands of Sumatra, Java, Bali, Lombok and Sumbawa. Z. major (Amami thrush) is restricted to the Amami Islands in Japan and is now considered a distinct species.

The taxonomy of this group is still in flux. Some of these subspecies are very similar and the identity of some populations, such as those on Taiwan, is uncertain.

The fawn-breasted thrush (Z. machiki) of Indonesia and the Bassian thrush (Z. lunulata) and russet-tailed thrush (Z. heinei) of Australia were also included in Z. dauma in the past.

Behaviour

The scaly thrush is very secretive, preferring dense cover. It nests in trees, laying three or four dull green eggs in a neat cup nest. It is omnivorous, eating a wide range of insects, earthworms and berries.

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Category / Seasonal Status

Wiki listed status (concerning Thai population): Winter visitor, resident in mountains

BCST Category: Recorded in an apparently wild state within the last 50 years

BCST Seasonal status: Resident or presumed resident

Scientific classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Turdidae
Genus
Zoothera
Species
Zoothera dauma

Common names

  • English:
    • Eurasian scaly thrush
    • Scaly thrush
    • White's thrush
  • Thai: นกเดินดงลายเสือ

Synonyms

  • Geocichla horsfieldi

Conservation status

Least Concern (IUCN3.1)

Least Concern (IUCN3.1)

Photos

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Scaly thrush
Scaly thrush

Copyright

Scaly thrush

Range Map

Distribution map of Scaly thrush, Zoothera dauma in Thailand
  • Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Doi Inthanon National Park
  • Doi Lang
  • Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park
  • Doi Phu Kha National Park
  • Doi Suthep - Pui National Park
  • Khao Yai National Park
  • Mae Fa Luang District, Chiang Rai
  • Mae Wong National Park
  • Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai
  • Nam Nao National Park
  • Phu Khiao Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Ramkhamhaeng National Park
  • Sakaerat Environmental Research Station
Range map of Zoothera dauma in Thailand