The fawn-breasted thrush is a species of bird in the family Turdidae. It is endemic to the Tanimbar Islands in Indonesia. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Region
Wallacea (southeastern Indonesia)
Typical Environment
The species is restricted to lowland evergreen and semi-evergreen forests on the Tanimbar Islands, favoring dense understory and shaded, undisturbed leaf-litter. It occurs in primary forest and older secondary forest but is less common near heavily degraded edges. Birds are most often encountered on the forest floor or low perches within closed-canopy habitats. It may utilize riparian corridors and small forest patches when contiguous tracts are limited.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This shy forest thrush is confined to the Tanimbar Islands of Indonesia and can be easiest to detect by its mellow, whistled dawn song. It forages quietly on the leaf-litter, often flipping leaves to expose hidden invertebrates. Ongoing habitat loss from logging and agricultural expansion threatens its already small range. Conservation of intact lowland forest is key to its survival.
Temperament
shy and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats through understory
Social Behavior
Typically solitary or in pairs, keeping close to dense cover. Likely monogamous, nesting in a cup-shaped nest placed low in shrubs or small trees. Clutch size is small, and birds are highly attentive to nest concealment.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a series of mellow, whistled phrases delivered at dawn and dusk, with clear, flute-like notes. Call is a thin, high tseep or soft chup given from cover. Vocalizations carry well in dense forest but are not loud.
