About the Tibetan Blackbird
The Tibetan blackbird is a species of bird in the thrush family Turdidae. It is found in the Himalayas from northern Pakistan to southeastern Tibet. Originally described as a separate species by Henry Seebohm in 1881, it was then considered a subspecies of the common blackbird until 2008, when phylogenetic evidence revealed that it was only distantly related to the latter species. It is a relatively large thrush, having an overall length of 23–28 centimetres. Males are blackish-brown all over with darker plumage on the head, breast, wings and tail and dull orange-yellow bills, while females have browner underparts, faint streaking on the throat, and a dull darkish yellow bill. Both sexes…
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The Tibetan blackbird is a relatively large thrush, being 23–28 centimetres (9.1–11 inches) in length. Males are brownish-black all over and darker on the head, breast, wings and tail, with dull orange-yellow bills. Females have blackish-brown upperparts and browner underparts, with faint streaking on the throat and a dull darkish yellow bill. Both sexes may appear slightly hooded. Juveniles are like females, but have greyish-buff on the back to wing-coverts and rump, greyish-buff streaking on the throat, and greyish-buff barring on the belly to vent. Voice: The song of the Tibetan blackbird is repetitious series of rapid grating notes, unpleasant squeaks, drongo-like wheezes, and guttural caws, with sporadic piew-piew whistles, given from a ridge top, rock, or trees. Unlike the song of the common blackbird, it does not have warbles or trills.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where the Tibetan Blackbird lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Pakistan.
When to see the Tibetan Blackbird
Peak activity in April · a variable species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Izu ThrushTurdus celaenopsThe Izu thrush is about 23 cm (9.1 in) long.
La Selle ThrushTurdus swalesiThe La Selle thrush is 26 to 27 cm (10 to 11 in) long and weighs 88 to 110 g (3.1 to 3.9 oz).
Pantepui ThrushTurdus murinusThe pantepui thrush is about 20 cm (7.9 in) long and weighs 52 to 81 g (1.8 to 2.9 oz).
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