ML287310201
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Observation details
Initially found by NJ and AB. Heard only initially and identified as a thrush on call. Over two hour period heard multiple (~11) times (a high, thin, rising ‘tseeep’) and seen poorly in flight (4 times). Three flight call notes were recorded by NJ, but only one uploaded as other two were faint (but similar in shape and sound). The second flight view was relatively sustained, and uniform brown upperparts were observed (by AB) as it flew away from the observers (AB and NJ). Following the third flight view (by NJ and BG), the thrush landed in a tree where appeared brownish-backed, rufous-sided and showed pale underparts with no apparent pattern. The head details were not observed. Upon raising camera by NJ and setting up of scope by BG (from a distance of ~80m), the thrush once again flew to another stand of trees where it was not relocated. In flight, NJ noted the underwing showed a fairly contrasting, single, white bar commencing along either the base of the secondaries, or along the greater underwing coverts (i.e. approximately mid-underwing). Superficially similar species from East Asia based solely on brownish upperparts and pale underparts include Pale Thrush (T. pallidus), Black-breasted Thrush (T. ignobilis), Grey-sided Thrush (T. feae) and Grey-backed Thrush (T. hortulorum). The call of the recorded Turdus was very comparable to flight calls of Eyebrowed Thrush (T. obscurus). The absolute initial phase of the call descends, before steadily rising until the end of the note. The first three similar species to Eyebrowed Thrush could be ruled out based on shape of flight call note: Black-breasted Thrush initially descends before levelling. Pale Thrush descends with strong modulations; Grey-sided Thrush descends. Grey-backed Thrush has an almost indistinguishable flight call to that of Eyebrowed Thrush. However, based on the physical appearance of the bird (brownish above vs greyish-blue) combined with the relatively short-distance migratory nature of Grey-backed Thrush (SE Russia to SE China/N Vietnam), we are confident the observed Turdus is best attributed to Eyebrowed Thrush.
Technical information
- Recorder
- Microphone
- Accessories
- Original file size
- 40.54 KB