Samoan island thrush

The Samoan island thrush is a species of passerine bird in the thrush family Turdidae. It is endemic to the Samoan Islands, which includes Samoa and American Samoa. It was formerly considered a subspecies of the island thrush, but in 2024 the island thrush complex was split into 17 different species by the IOC and Clements checklist based on morphological and phylogenic differences.

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Distribution

Region

Samoan Islands, Polynesia

Typical Environment

Occurs on the main islands of Samoa (Upolu and Savai'i) and American Samoa (Tutuila and Ta‘ū), primarily in native rainforest. It uses montane cloud forest, mature secondary forest, and dense ridge and valley forests, occasionally descending to lower elevations where cover is intact. Most encounters are in quiet interior forest away from human disturbance. It forages on the ground and in low understory, but also visits fruiting trees in the midstory.

Altitude Range

0–1850 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size20–23 cm

Wing Span34–38 cm

Male Weight0.085 kg

Female Weight0.08 kg

Life Expectancy6 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

This forest thrush is endemic to the Samoan Islands (Samoa and American Samoa) and is typically shy, more often heard than seen. It was split from the Island Thrush complex by IOC and Clements in 2024 based on morphological and genetic evidence. It favors higher-elevation native forests, where it forages quietly in leaf litter. Predation by introduced mammals and habitat loss likely constrain its lowland distribution.

Behaviour

Temperament

shy and retiring

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats; swift, direct dashes between perches

Social Behavior

Usually solitary or in pairs, maintaining territories in dense forest. Nests are cup-shaped and placed on branches or in tree forks, built from twigs, grasses, and moss. Breeding behavior includes discreet courtship and strong nest defense within a small territory.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Song is a series of clear, fluted whistles and mellow phrases delivered from concealed perches, often at dawn and dusk. Calls include thin tseep notes and soft chuck alarms when disturbed.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

Samoan starling

The Samoan starling is a large starling of the family Sturnidae. It is found in the Samoan Islands. The species has a dark brown, glossy appearance, with a long bill. Its natural habitat is tropical moist forest on volcanic islands, where it is common and more conspicuous than the Polynesian starling, which is found in the same habitat. Vocalizations include various whistles and other sounds. This starling feeds on a variety of fruits, especially guava, and insects. Little is known of its mating or social habits, but it appears to nest year-round, in tree cavities. Its eggs are pale blue.

Samoan woodhen

The Samoan woodhen, also known as Samoan wood rail, is a nearly flightless rail endemic to the Samoan island of Savai'i that is Critically Endangered. As it has evolved adaptations for a more terrestrial lifestyle and at least partly nocturnal habits, it is probably better placed in a distinct genus, Pareudiastes, but this issue has not yet been thoroughly researched. It was known as puna'e to the native Samoans; this was said to relate to the bird's habit of making a jumping dash into cover when startled from its resting place.

San Andres vireo

The San Andres vireo or St. Andrew vireo is a threatened species of vireo endemic to the Colombian island of San Andrés in the Caribbean, located off the east coast of Nicaragua. Due to habitat loss from the ever expanding population on these small islands, the species has now become limited to a few localities on the southern half of the island, but it is still common in some of these areas. It is found in most habitat types on the island.