The chestnut-bellied thrush is a species of bird in the family Turdidae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests and heavily degraded former forest.
Region
Northern Andes
Typical Environment
Occurs from the Andean ranges of western Venezuela through Colombia and Ecuador into northern Peru. It favors subtropical and tropical moist montane forests, especially cloud forests with dense understory. Frequently uses forest edges, secondary growth, and even heavily degraded former forest when cover and fruiting shrubs are present. Often keeps to mid-story and understory strata, moving along shaded trails and ravines.
Altitude Range
800–3200 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
An unobtrusive Andean thrush, it thrives not only in primary cloud forest but also in secondary growth and edges, helping disperse seeds as it forages on fruits. It often makes short elevational movements following fruiting trees. Its mellow, fluty song carries well at dawn, especially after rain. The species tolerates degraded habitats better than many forest specialists.
Temperament
shy and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low through understory
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs while foraging, occasionally loosely associating with mixed-species flocks at forest edges. Builds a cup nest in shrubs or small trees; the clutch is typically 2–3 eggs. Both parents participate in incubation and feeding of nestlings.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A mellow, fluty series of clear whistles and phrases with deliberate pauses, reminiscent of other Turdus thrushes. Calls include thin tseep notes and soft chack contact sounds.
Plumage
Upperparts dark olive-brown to slaty with a duskier head; underparts warm chestnut on belly and flanks with a paler, lightly streaked throat and breast.
Diet
Takes a mixed diet of small fruits and berries along with insects, spiders, and other invertebrates. Forages by hopping along the forest floor and low branches, gleaning from foliage and leaf litter. Will occasionally sally to pick fruit or seize a visible insect.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in shaded understory, along forest edges, and in second growth with fruiting shrubs. Often uses ravines, bamboo patches, and trails where leaf litter accumulates.
