The Taiwan thrush is a bird in the thrush family, in the genus Turdus. It is endemic to Taiwan.
Region
East Asia
Typical Environment
Found in Taiwan’s central and northern highlands, it inhabits mature evergreen and mixed broadleaf–conifer forests with dense understory. It frequents shaded gullies, bamboo thickets, and mossy ravines, often near streams. Forest edges and lightly disturbed areas with abundant leaf litter are also used, particularly where fruiting trees are present. It tends to avoid open habitats, remaining close to cover while foraging on the forest floor.
Altitude Range
1200–3000 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Endemic to Taiwan’s montane forests, the Taiwan thrush belongs to the genus Turdus and is a secretive ground-forager in shaded understory. Some authorities have treated it within the island thrush complex, reflecting ongoing taxonomic interest. It typically makes short, low flights and prefers dense cover, making it more often heard than seen. Conservation of mid- to high-elevation forests is important for its long-term persistence.
Temperament
shy and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs during the breeding season, it forages quietly on or near the ground. The nest is a cup of moss, grasses, and rootlets placed in a shrub or tree fork. Both parents are believed to participate in feeding the young, and territorial defense is focused around nest sites.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A mellow, fluty series of clear phrases typical of Turdus thrushes, delivered from concealed perches. Calls include soft tiks and thin whistles used for contact and alarm.
