The slaty-backed thrush is a passerine bird in the Asian thrush genus. It is found in the Tanimbar Islands.
Region
Wallacea, eastern Indonesia
Typical Environment
Confined to the Tanimbar Islands, it inhabits primary and mature secondary lowland evergreen forests and dense understory thickets. It frequents shaded gullies, stream margins, and forest edges but generally avoids open country. Most activity occurs on or near the forest floor where it probes leaf litter. It may persist in selectively logged forest if substantial understory cover remains.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The slaty-backed thrush is a shy forest-floor specialist known only from the Tanimbar Islands of eastern Indonesia. It forages by flipping leaf litter to uncover insects and other invertebrates, and supplements its diet with small fruits. Its secretive habits and restricted range make it hard to observe, and it is potentially sensitive to habitat disturbance. Protection of lowland forests on Yamdena and nearby islands is likely important for its persistence.
Temperament
shy and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats close to the ground
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs, keeping to dense understory and forest floor. Nests are likely cup-shaped and placed low in shrubs or small trees, as in related Geokichla thrushes. Territorial during the breeding period and unobtrusive outside it.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A soft, fluty series of clear whistles delivered from a concealed perch within the forest. Contact calls are thin, high 'tseep' notes, and alarm calls are sharper and more metallic.
