 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations .(March 2019) |
| Scaly thrush | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nominate Z. d. dauma at Godwari, Kathmandu, Nepal | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Turdidae |
| Genus: | Zoothera |
| Species: | Z. dauma |
| Binomial name | |
| Zoothera dauma (Latham, 1790) | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
The scaly thrush (Zoothera dauma) is a member of the thrush family Turdidae.
It breeds in dense wet forests in the Himalayas east through southwestern China to northern Indochina, and with disjunct populations (but possibly separate species) on Iriomote Island off southern Japan, and on Sumatra and Java in Indonesia. [2]
The sexes are similar, 27–31 cm long, with black scaling on a paler white or yellowish background. The most striking identification feature in flight is the black band on the white underwings, a feature shared with most other species in the genus Zoothera , and also Siberian thrush in the genus Geokichla . The male has a song which is a loud, far-carrying mechanical whistle, with 5-10 second pauses between each one second long phrase twee...tuuu....tuuu....tuuu.
Three subspecies are currently accepted: [2]
Several other similar thrushes which were formerly treated as further subspecies are now split off as separate species: [2]
The scaly thrush is very secretive, preferring dense cover. It nests in trees, laying three or four dull green eggs in a neat cup nest. It is omnivorous, eating a wide range of insects, earthworms and berries.
