Sichuan Thrush Zoothera griseiceps Scientific name definitions

25–27 cm. Adult has forehead to nape dark grey-brown, contrasting with warm rufous-brown upperparts , upperwing and tail; lores dark brown, bordered above by whitish loral line and below by greyish-white moustachial stripe, the latter itself bordered below and (weakly) above by indistinct dark lines and all petering out on side of neck; chin to upper throat whitish, lower throat to lower belly pale buffy white with dense black crescentic marks, vent and undertail-coverts pale buff with indistinct darker markings; iris dark brown, broad whitish eyering; bill dark horn to blackish, pale base to mandible; legs yellowish flesh. Sexes similar. Juvenile is duller overall, with buffy streaks from nape to scapulars, and more buffish coloration below (especially on neck and breast); differs from immature Z. mollissima in having deeper bill, darker crown and more rufous upperparts.

Little known. Reported in winter (at least Dec–Feb) from NW Vietnam (NW Tonkin), with a single record (in mid Oct), apparently of this species based on the published photograph, from the lowlands of Hunan province, China, on passage.

Little information; diet presumably consists of various arthropods together with snails and the like, along with some vegetable matter (berries, seeds). A skulking species, foraging on ground in shade. Turns over leaves and rotting vegetation; probes in soil. Behaviour in non-breeding season virtually unknown.

Song a slow series comprising drawn-out, rich clear notes and shorter, thinner ones, with very few harsh or scratchy tones. Compared to rather similar song of Z. salimalii, it is much richer, deeper and more musical, with even more drawn-out, fluty notes, a slower overall speed, and on average more halting endings to the strophes; the strophes uttered by the present species are on average longer, with a narrower frequency band, lower mid-frequency and lower peak frequency than those of Z. salimalii. Some individual variation in pace and in the depth of notes is apparent. Calls include grating rattle in alarm and a thin “chuck”.

Little specific information. Season probably Apr/May–Jul. No definite information on other aspects of breeding, but these are considered likely to be very similar to those given for Z. mollissima.

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Not well known. Appears to be locally fairly common. No threats to the species have been identified, and its population is thought therefore to be stable. Further fieldwork desirable.