Everett's thrush is a species of bird in the family Turdidae. The name commemorates British colonial administrator and zoological collector Alfred Hart Everett.
Region
Borneo
Typical Environment
Occurs in the interior mountains of Borneo across Malaysian states (Sabah, Sarawak), Brunei, and Indonesian Kalimantan. It inhabits dense mid- to upper-montane evergreen and mossy forests, often near streams and on steep, shaded slopes. The species keeps close to the forest floor, where it forages among leaf litter and roots. It is highly local and patchy, with presence tied to intact, undisturbed understory.
Altitude Range
900–2400 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Everett's thrush is a shy, ground-favoring thrush endemic to the montane forests of Borneo. It was named for British naturalist Alfred Hart Everett, who collected extensively in Southeast Asia. The species is elusive and often detected by its soft dawn song or by rustling as it flips leaf litter. Ongoing habitat loss in montane forests poses a concern for its future.
Temperament
shy and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low to the ground
Social Behavior
Typically solitary or in pairs, especially during the breeding season. Nests are cup-shaped and placed low in vegetation or on banks, with small clutches. Territorial in suitable patches of montane forest and rarely joins mixed-species flocks.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A soft, fluty series of clear whistles delivered at dawn and dusk, with pauses between phrases. Calls include thin seep notes and quiet tiks given from cover.
Plumage
Warm brown upperparts with paler, buffy underparts marked with fine dark scaling on the throat and breast; flanks often show warmer rufous tones. The face is plain with a subtle pale eye-ring, and the belly is cleaner buff to whitish. Feathers are soft and sleek, aiding its skulking habits in dense understory.
Diet
Takes a variety of invertebrates, including beetles, ants, spiders, and earthworms, gleaned from leaf litter. Also consumes small fruits and berries when available, especially in the wet season. Will probe moss and rotting wood and occasionally snatch small snails or larvae.
Preferred Environment
Forages on the dim forest floor along trails, stream edges, and root tangles in dense understory. Often flips leaves methodically and pauses to listen before striking.
