Tickell's thrush is a passerine bird in the thrush family Turdidae. It is common in open forest in the Himalayas, and migrates seasonally into peninsular India, Nepal and rarely to Bangladesh.
Region
South Asia
Typical Environment
Breeds in the Himalayan foothills from northern India through Nepal to Bhutan, inhabiting open broadleaf and mixed forests, forest edge, and secondary growth. In winter it disperses into the plains and peninsular India, frequenting wooded parks, orchards, and well-vegetated gardens. It favors areas with dense understory and nearby fruiting shrubs or trees, and often forages along quiet forest tracks and streams. It avoids very dense interior forest and highly urbanized spaces.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2800 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Tickell's thrush is a medium-small Turdus thrush named after the British naturalist Samuel Tickell. It breeds in open forests and edges along the Himalayan foothills and moves south in winter into peninsular India, and occasionally to Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. It is often shy, keeping to shaded undergrowth, but will visit fruiting trees and quiet gardens during the non-breeding season.
Temperament
shy and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, direct flights between cover
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs during the breeding season, nesting in a neat cup of grass and roots placed in a shrub or low tree. Monogamous pairs raise a clutch of 2–4 eggs. In winter, small loose groups may form at fruiting trees or along productive forest edges.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Song is a mellow, fluted series of clear whistles and short phrases delivered from a concealed perch. Calls include thin tseep notes and soft chuk ticks, especially when alarmed.
Plumage
Male is slaty-grey above with clean whitish underparts and pale grey flanks; throat often whitish with faint streaking. Female and immatures are browner above with warmer tones and more diffuse markings below.
Diet
Eats insects, beetles, caterpillars, and other invertebrates gleaned from leaf litter and low foliage. Also takes earthworms and small snails after rain. Fruits and berries from shrubs and trees form an important part of the diet, especially in the non-breeding season.
Preferred Environment
Forages on the ground along shaded forest edges, clearings, and quiet garden lawns with adjacent cover. Frequently ascends to fruiting trees and shrubs to pluck berries, then returns to cover to feed.
