The Mamberamo shrikethrush is a species of bird in the family Pachycephalidae.
Region
Northern New Guinea
Typical Environment
This species is confined to lowland and foothill rainforests of the Mamberamo drainage and adjacent northern New Guinea forests. It favors dense understory in primary forest, but also uses secondary growth, forest edges, and riverine thickets. Birds often forage quietly along shaded trails and creek margins. It is typically associated with humid evergreen forest and avoids open country.
Altitude Range
0–1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Mamberamo shrikethrush is a forest songbird of northern New Guinea’s Mamberamo River basin, belonging to the whistler family Pachycephalidae. It is noted for rich, fluting whistles that carry through dense understory. A shy, ground- and mid-story forager, it helps control forest invertebrates. Its plain plumage makes it easy to overlook, but its voice is distinctive once learned.
Temperament
shy and retiring
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between perches
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly or in pairs, maintaining territories year-round. Pairs communicate with antiphonal song and soft contact calls. Nest is a neat cup placed low to mid-level in dense vegetation; both sexes likely share parental duties.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of rich, fluty whistles and clear, melodious phrases delivered from concealed perches. Phrases are repeated with slight variations and are most conspicuous at dawn.
Plumage
Plain, smooth brown to olive-brown upperparts with paler, buffy underparts and a slightly grayer face; throat often paler with subtle mottling. No wing bars; tail plain. Overall a subdued, earthy-toned shrikethrush with minimal patterning.
Diet
Primarily feeds on insects and other small invertebrates such as spiders and beetles. Will occasionally take small lizards or snails and may sample berries when available. Forages by gleaning from leaves, branches, and leaf litter, sometimes making short sallies to seize prey.
Preferred Environment
Dense understory and lower mid-story of humid forest, including along streams and thickets. Also works forest edges and regenerating second growth where cover is thick.
