Abyssinian Thrush (Turdus abyssinicus). Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Fascinating facts about the Abyssinian Thrush
- In 1789 Johann Friedrich Gmelin gave this bird its formal scientific name, Turdus abyssinicus, after borrowing a description from Buffon's 1775 "Merle brun d'Abissinie". The naming linked the species to the ancient region of Abyssinia, anchoring its identity in the early era of European natural history. It shows how a single 18th-century description can set the taxonomic stage for a bird still studied today.
- A molecular phylogenetic study in 2005 split the Abyssinian thrush from the olive thrush, proving they are separate species despite looking alike. The split was based on differences in mitochondrial DNA, a genetic fingerprint that revealed hidden divergence. This reminds us that two birds sharing a forest can be as genetically distinct as cousins from different continents.
- Measuring just 22 cm (8.7 in) from beak to tail, the thrush has an orange bill and darker plumage.
- The bird inhabits the highland belt from South Sudan south to northern Mozambique, occurring in forests, woodlands, exotic plantations, parks and gardens.
- Six subspecies are recognized: T. a. abyssinicus (Eritrea and Ethiopia to north, west, central Kenya, extreme north Tanzania, north Uganda and Sudan), T. a. deckeni (north to northeast Tanzania), T. a. oldeani (central north Tanzania), T. a. bambusicola (east DR Congo to southwest Uganda and northwest Tanzania), T. a. baraka (Virunga Volcanoes and southwest Uganda), and T. a. nyikae (east, south Tanzania, north Malawi and northeast Zambia).
About the Abyssinian Thrush
The Abyssinian thrush, Turdus abyssinicus, is a 22-centimetre (8.7 in) passerine that occurs in the highland forests of eastern Africa. Its plumage is a variable brown that becomes darker at higher altitudes, distinguishing it from the lighter African thrush and the Kurrichane thrush. It has an orange bill and lacks the malar stripe seen in the Kurrichane thrush. This forest thrush inhabits forests, woodlands, exotic plantations, parks and gardens from South Sudan south to northern Mozambique. It was formerly considered conspecific with the olive thrush and was split based on mitochondrial DNA differences.
Hear the Abyssinian Thrush, and 4,400+ more
Real recorded sounds, 11 nature games and a free Daily 5, 1v1 quiz duels, conservation wins and a safe Kids mode. Free on Feravox.
