Orange-headed Thrush

Least Concern

Geokichla citrina

With its striking tangerine crown and melodious song that rings through Asian forests at dawn, this brilliant orange thrush can be found from India to Indonesia.

Visual Identification

Appearance

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.

Size

Length

20cm to 23cm

Wingspan

35cm to 40cm

Weight

47g to 67g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Orange Blue

Secondary Colour

White Black

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Pink

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

Garden

Wetland

Coastal

Urban

Farmland

Grassland

Desert

Tundra

Rainforest

Mountain

Savanna

Distribution

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.

Elevation Range

Up to 2,300 meters

Climate zones

Tropical, Subtropical

Distribution Map

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Resident
Breeding
Non-breeding

Distribution by Region

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Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 82
Strength 45
Adaptability 75
Aggressiveness 30
Endurance 65

Diet

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.

Behaviour

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.

Vocalisation

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.

Nesting & Breeding

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.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [1]

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.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

Not quantified, but locally common [2]

Global Population Trend

Decreasing[3]

Birdwatching Tips

  • Look for these thrushes in dense, moist forests with thick undergrowth
  • Listen for their melodious song, especially at dawn and dusk
  • Watch for quick movements on the forest floor as they forage
  • Be patient and quiet, as these birds can be easily startled

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Zoothera citrina

Family:

Turdidae

Predators

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.

Did You Know?

  1. The Orange-headed Thrush is known for its beautiful song, which has led to its capture for the cage-bird trade in some areas.
  2. Some populations of this species are known to practice 'anting,' rubbing ants on their feathers, possibly to control parasites.
  3. Despite their bright colouration, these thrushes can be remarkably well-camouflaged when motionless in dappled forest light.

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References

  1. 1

    website: BirdLife International. 2019. Geokichla citrina. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T22708375A152676506.

    View source
  2. 2 3

    report, 2005: del Hoyo et al.