Pale Thrush

Pale Thrush Characteristics and Morphology

A bird about the size of a Brown-eared bulbul, with a silhouette similar to a Dusky thrush. Despite what the Japanese name "Shirohara" (White-belly) suggests, it is not as white as one might imagine; rather, it is brownish overall. Males and females look almost identical.
The head is darker than the rest of the body. The iris is black, and there is a yellow eye-ring around the eye. The upper mandible is black, while the lower mandible is yellow. The back is distinctly brown from the neck down. The belly is white, though some individuals have a brownish tint. The tail feathers are grayish-brown, and the legs are yellow.
Very similar to the Brown-headed thrush (Akahara), but the Pale thrush lacks orange coloration on its body.

Male

The head color is blacker than that of the female. The brown on the back is more vivid.

Female

Females have a faint supercilium (eyebrow stripe). The back color is a more muted brown.

Song

The characteristic call (sub-song) can be heard from within the bushes. It sounds like "kyo-kyo" or "pyo-pyo," quite different from the voice of a bulbul.

Pale Thrush Ecology

Habitat

Migrates to areas south of central Honshu as a winter visitor. Mainly inhabits forests but also visits park thickets.

Food

Forages alone on the ground, eating insects, earthworms, and nuts/seeds.

Life Cycle

Breeds in high-latitude regions and migrates to Japan as a winter bird.

Pale Thrush Photos

Pale Thrush Photos are introduced.
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Pale Thrush Behavior

Pale Thrush Information

Naming

The scientific name "pallidus" means "pale," referring to its lighter coloration compared to other thrushes. The English name "Pale Thrush" follows the same logic.

Pale Thrush Found Locations