The La Selle thrush is a species of bird in the family Turdidae endemic to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. A skulker of broadleaf and pine forests around 1300m, it is limited to a small and declining population in the inland Dominican Republic, as well as a relict population in Haiti.
Region
Greater Antilles (Hispaniola)
Typical Environment
This species is restricted to high-elevation forests on Hispaniola, with core strongholds in the Dominican Republic’s Sierra de Bahoruco and parts of the Cordillera Central, and a relict population in Haiti’s Massif de la Selle. It occupies humid montane broadleaf and cloud forests as well as mosaics with Hispaniolan pine, provided there is dense understory. The thrush keeps close to shaded ravines, forest edges with thick cover, and areas rich in leaf litter. It is a secretive skulker, often detected by its song rather than by sight. Habitat degradation and fragmentation limit its distribution to small, isolated patches.
Altitude Range
1000–2200 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The La Selle thrush is a shy, ground-foraging thrush confined to the montane forests of Hispaniola, especially around the Massif de la Selle in Haiti and the Sierra de Bahoruco/Cordillera Central in the Dominican Republic. It favors dense, shadowy understory and leaf-litter where it can remain concealed. Habitat loss from logging, agriculture, and charcoal production has driven declines, and it is considered threatened. Protecting high-elevation broadleaf and pine forests is key to its survival.
Temperament
solitary and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats through understory
Social Behavior
Typically solitary or in pairs during the breeding season, maintaining territories in dense cover. Nests are cup-shaped and placed low in shrubs or small trees. Clutches are small, and both parents participate in care. Outside of breeding, it remains inconspicuous and rarely joins mixed-species flocks.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A soft, melodious series of clear, fluted whistles delivered from concealed perches, most often at dawn and dusk. Calls include thin tseep notes and a sharper, scolding alarm when disturbed.
