Birds of Singapore
by the Bird Society of Singapore
Geokichla citrina
Malay name: Murai-Tanah Jingga Asia · Chinese name: 橙头地鸫
Family: Thrushes and Allies · Status: Rare migrant · Size: 20.5–23.5 cm · Conservation: Least Concern
Breeds across the Indian subcontinent and from southern China through Indochina; isolated resident populations in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Borneo, Java, and Bali. Migratory populations winter south to Sri Lanka, Indochina and Thai-Malay Peninsula.
Orange head and underparts with plain grey or brown upperparts distinguish this species from all other thrushes recorded in Singapore. Three subspecies groups occur locally: citrina, which has faint brown teardrop markings on the face and a white wingbar; innotata, which is richer orange and lacks both; and the rarely recorded aurimacula group, with prominent thick brown facial stripes on a paler face, more conspicuous than in citrina. Female of all forms has brown rather than grey upperparts.
Forest understorey and wooded areas; also recorded in parks and wooded gardens.
Forages quietly on the ground among leaf litter, tossing leaves aside to uncover insects and worms; also takes fruits.