The brown-winged whistling thrush, also known as the Sumatran whistling thrush or chestnut-winged whistling thrush, is a passerine bird belonging to the whistling thrush genus Myophonus in the family Muscicapidae. It is endemic to the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. In the past, it has often been lumped together with the Javan whistling thrush and Bornean whistling thrush as the "Sunda whistling thrush" but it is now often regarded as a separate species based on differences in plumage and measurements.
Region
Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Endemic to the highlands of Sumatra, where it inhabits primary and well-structured secondary montane forest. It is strongly associated with fast-flowing, boulder-strewn streams, forested gullies, and shaded ravines. Birds often keep to dim understory and stream edges, moving between rocks and logs. It tolerates some disturbance but declines where forests are heavily degraded and watercourses are silted.
Altitude Range
800–2400 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the Sumatran or chestnut-winged whistling thrush, this species is confined to the montane forests of Sumatra. It frequents shaded streams and ravines, where it forages on rocks and leaf litter. Its clear, fluty whistles carry far in dense forest, especially at dawn. It was formerly lumped with Javan and Bornean whistling thrushes but is now treated as distinct based on plumage and measurements.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, direct dashes along streams
Social Behavior
Typically encountered singly or in pairs, defending linear territories along watercourses. Nests are usually mossy cups placed on ledges, banks, or structures near running water. Breeding pairs maintain close contact with soft calls and perform short display chases.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A clear, melodious series of fluty whistles and ringing notes delivered from shaded perches, most often at dawn. Calls include sharp metallic chips and harsher scolds when alarmed.
Plumage
Overall dark blue-black with a subtle cobalt sheen, contrasting with rich chestnut-brown wings and wing coverts. Feathers appear glossy in good light, especially on the head and mantle. Sexes are similar, with minimal dimorphism.
Diet
Feeds primarily on insects and other invertebrates such as beetles, ants, snails, and aquatic larvae taken from rocks and leaf litter. Also captures small crustaceans and occasional small vertebrates near streams. Will sometimes take fallen berries, but animal prey dominates.
Preferred Environment
Forages along rocky, fast-flowing forest streams, hopping between stones and probing crevices and wet leaf litter. Often uses shaded banks, logs, and boulders as vantage points to scan and sally to prey.
