Orange Ground-Thrush
NameOrange Ground-Thrush
Common NameOrange Ground-Thrush
Scientific NameGeokichla gurneyi
FamilyTurdidae
Wingspan (cm)32
Length (cm)21
Weight (g)60
Plumage DetailsUpperparts are dark olive-brown. Underparts are bright orange-rufous, fading to white on the lower belly and vent. The head is dark with a prominent orange-rufous supercilium (eyebrow) and malar stripe. A distinctive white patch is visible on the primaries of the wing.
Vocalization / CallIts song is a series of clear, fluty, and somewhat melancholy whistles, often delivered from a hidden perch within dense vegetation.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatsforest, mountain
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in southeastern Africa, from eastern South Africa north through Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, and into southern Tanzania, typically inhabiting montane evergreen forests.
Identifying Featuresbright orange-rufous underparts, dark head with orange supercilium and malar stripe, white wing patch, ground-dwelling behavior
Description
This medium-sized thrush is characterized by its striking orange-rufous underparts and dark brown upperparts. It typically forages on the forest floor, often flicking leaf litter to find invertebrates, and is generally shy and secretive.
