The Pantepui thrush is a bird in the genus Turdus native to the tepuis of northern South America. It was previously considered conspecific with the black-billed thrush, but genetic data indicates that the two are not closely related.
Region
Pantepui, Guiana Highlands (SE Venezuela, W Guyana, N Brazil)
Typical Environment
Found on tepui slopes and summits in humid montane and elfin forests, forest edges, and tall second growth. It frequents gaps and along forested streams where fruiting trees are common. The species is patchily distributed, following suitable cool, wet highland habitats across the Guiana Shield. It may descend slightly to foothills where continuous forest persists, but remains tied to montane conditions.
Altitude Range
900–2200 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Pantepui thrush inhabits the isolated tepui highlands of the Guiana Shield, where cool, misty forests cloak table-top mountains. It was formerly lumped with the black-billed thrush, but genetic studies show they are not closely related. By consuming fruits and dispersing seeds, it helps regenerate montane forest patches around the tepuis.
Temperament
shy and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
short, direct flights with rapid wingbeats between perches
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, foraging quietly in the understory and on the forest floor. Builds a cup-shaped nest in shrubs or small trees, often concealed in dense vegetation. Clutches are small, and both parents participate in feeding the nestlings.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A mellow, fluted series of clear whistles delivered from semi-concealed perches, most active at dawn and dusk. Calls include soft tchuk notes and thin, sibilant seets used for contact.
Plumage
Plain, mouse-brown to olive-brown upperparts with slightly paler gray-brown underparts and a subtly streaked throat. The belly is mostly uniform, lacking bold spotting typical of many temperate thrushes. Feathers appear soft with minimal gloss, enhancing its overall muted look.
Diet
Omnivorous, taking a variety of small fruits and berries along with insects, spiders, and other arthropods. It gleans from low branches and probes leaf litter on the forest floor. During peaks of fruit availability, it may focus heavily on berries, switching to more invertebrates in lean periods.
Preferred Environment
Forages along forest edges, light gaps, and near fruiting trees in humid montane forest. It also works shaded stream margins and the understory of elfin forest and tall second growth.
