The pied thrush is a member of the thrush family found in India and Sri Lanka. The males are conspicuously patterned in black and white while the females are olive brown and speckled. They breed in the central Himalayan forests and winter in the hill forests of southern India and Sri Lanka. Like many other thrushes, they forage on leaf litter below forest undergrowth and fly into trees when disturbed and sit still making them difficult to locate.
Region
South Asia
Typical Environment
Breeds in montane broadleaf and mixed forests of the central Himalayas, especially in Nepal, northern India, and adjacent areas. In winter it occupies evergreen and shola forests of the Western Ghats and the hill country of Sri Lanka. Prefers dense, shady undergrowth and forest edges with ample leaf litter. Often keeps close to streams, gullies, and bamboo thickets where cover is abundant.
Altitude Range
600–2600 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The pied thrush breeds in the central Himalayas and migrates to the hill forests of southern India and Sri Lanka in winter. Males show striking black-and-white contrast while females are much duller and heavily speckled, making them well camouflaged on the forest floor. They are shy, often freezing motionless in undergrowth when disturbed, which makes them easy to overlook. Their presence is often revealed by a clear, melodious thrush-like song at dawn.
Male wintering in Karnataka, India
![The species was first noted by Jerdon but described by Edward Blyth. This image is from Jerdon's 1843-47 Illustrations of Indian Ornithology and was lithographed by C.V. Kistnarajoo based on an illustration by S. N. Ward of the Madras Civil Service, the background foliage was added by Captain S. Best of the Madras Engineers.[17]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6d/JerdonZootheraWardii.jpg/1280px-JerdonZootheraWardii.jpg)
The species was first noted by Jerdon but described by Edward Blyth. This image is from Jerdon's 1843-47 Illustrations of Indian Ornithology and was lithographed by C.V. Kistnarajoo based on an illustration by S. N. Ward of the Madras Civil Service, the background foliage was added by Captain S. Best of the Madras Engineers.[17]
Temperament
shy and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, dashing into cover
Social Behavior
Generally solitary or in pairs during the breeding season, becoming loosely associated with mixed flocks in winter. Builds a cup-shaped nest in low branches or dense shrubs, with both sexes involved in nesting duties. Territorial on breeding grounds, using song perches within forest clearings or edges.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
A clear, melodious series of fluty whistles and phrases, delivered from a concealed perch, especially at dawn. Calls include thin seep notes and soft chucks when alarmed from the forest floor.
Plumage
Male sharply pied with glossy black upperparts and head contrasting with white wing patches, scapulars, and underparts; crisp, clean-edged patterning. Female olive-brown above with buffy, streaked-to-spotted underparts and a paler throat; overall more subdued and mottled.
Diet
Forages mainly on the forest floor, flipping leaf litter to uncover beetles, ants, termites, and other insects. Also takes earthworms and small snails when available. Supplements with berries and small fruits, especially in the non-breeding season.
Preferred Environment
Dense understorey of moist broadleaf and evergreen forests, along shaded trails, stream banks, and bamboo patches. Often feeds in quiet, sheltered spots with deep leaf litter and retreats to low perches when disturbed.
