The orange ground thrush is a species of bird in the family Turdidae.
Region
Eastern and Southern Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs patchily from Kenya and Tanzania south through Malawi and Mozambique to Zimbabwe, Eswatini, and northeastern South Africa. It favors evergreen and afromontane forests, moist ravines, and dense understory near streams. Birds often use forest edges, bamboo or bracken thickets, and secondary growth when cover is adequate. They are most frequently encountered on shaded, leaf-littered slopes and gullies. Local presence depends on intact high-elevation forest blocks.
Altitude Range
800–2500 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The orange ground thrush is a shy, forest-floor thrush of eastern and southern Africa’s montane and mist-belt forests. It often forages by quietly flicking leaf litter for insects and worms, and sings a mellow, fluty song at dawn and dusk from concealed perches. Its rich orange underparts and slaty-gray hood make it distinctive in dim forest light. Habitat loss is the main threat in parts of its range, but it persists well in protected highland forests.
Illustration by Joseph Wolf
Temperament
shy and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, usually close to the ground
Social Behavior
Typically solitary or in pairs, defending territories within suitable forest patches. Nests are cup-shaped and placed low to mid-level on ledges, forks, or dense tangles. Breeding timing varies with region but often coincides with wetter seasons when invertebrates are abundant.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A mellow, fluty series of clear whistles delivered at dawn and dusk, often from a concealed perch. Calls include soft tchik notes and thin seee contact calls in the understory.
