Siberian Thrush

Geokichla sibirica

Malay name: Murai-Tanah Kelabu Tua · Chinese name: 白眉地鸫

Family: Thrushes and Allies · Status: Rare migrant · Size: 21.5–23.5 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Breeds across Siberia and northeastern China east to Japan, wintering in mainland Southeast Asia, Sumatra, and java.

Identification

Male has overall dark slaty plumage with a broad white supercilium, yellow legs, and white vent with dark-scaled undertail-coverts. Female has plain brown upperparts, prominent buff-white supercilium curved behind the ear-coverts, and buff-white underparts with brown scaling. First-winter males show mixed characters of both sexes, with white throat and submoustachial stripe. White's Thrush shows similarly scaled underparts but lacks a prominent supercilium and has scaly upperparts. Eyebrowed Thrush shares a white supercilium but has unscaled underparts with a warm orange wash on the breast and flanks.

Habitat

Forest and wooded areas; also recorded in gardens.

Behaviour

Very shy. Feeds mainly on small, soft, fleshy berries but also takes insects and worms. Usually forages in parties.