Geokichla citrina
Orange-headed Thrush
The Orange-headed Thrush has a pale orange head and underparts, contrasting with grey or greenish-brown upperparts. Its wings feature a white patch, and the tail appears dark. The bird has a blackish bill and flesh-coloured legs.
Males and females look noticeably different, with females showing greenish-brown rather than grey on their upperparts. Juveniles have a mottled brown appearance with orange tinges and buff markings, gradually developing adult colouration as they mature.
Length
20cm to 23cm
Wingspan
35cm to 40cm
Weight
47g to 67g
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Orange Blue
Secondary Colour
White Black
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Pink
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Orange-headed Thrushes inhabit moist, tropical and subtropical forests, including evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, bamboo groves, and well-wooded gardens. They are found across parts of South and Southeast Asia, including India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and parts of China.
Some populations in the northern parts of their range undertake altitudinal migrations, moving to lower elevations during winter. In India, they are more commonly seen in the Western Ghats and northeastern states.
Up to 2,300 meters
Tropical, Subtropical
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The Orange-headed Thrush primarily feeds on insects, worms, and other invertebrates found on the forest floor. They also consume a variety of fruits, especially during the non-breeding season.
These birds use their strong bills to probe leaf litter and turn over small stones in search of prey.
Orange-headed Thrushes are generally shy and secretive, often seen foraging on the forest floor. They hop and run quickly, pausing to listen for prey.
These birds are typically solitary or found in pairs, becoming more vocal and visible during the breeding season.
The Orange-headed Thrush has a rich, melodious song consisting of a series of clear, flute-like notes. Their calls include a soft 'chuk-chuk' when alarmed and a high-pitched 'tsee' contact call.
During the breeding season, males sing from exposed perches, often at dawn and dusk, with songs lasting up to 30 seconds.
The breeding season for Orange-headed Thrushes typically occurs from April to August, coinciding with the monsoon season in much of their range. Males attract females with their melodious songs and elaborate courtship displays.
Nests are cup-shaped structures made of twigs, leaves, and moss, often placed in the forks of trees or dense shrubs. Females usually lay 2-4 pale blue eggs with reddish-brown speckles.
Both parents share incubation duties, which last about 13-14 days. Chicks fledge after approximately two weeks but remain dependent on their parents for several more weeks.
While the Orange-headed Thrush is currently listed as Least Concern, it faces threats from habitat loss due to deforestation and fragmentation of its forest habitats.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting and preserving its woodland and rainforest habitats across its range.
Zoothera citrina
Main predators include birds of prey such as hawks and owls, as well as snakes and small mammals that may raid nests for eggs and chicks.
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website: BirdLife International. 2019. Geokichla citrina. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T22708375A152676506.
View sourcereport, 2005: del Hoyo et al.