Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush

Overview

The slaty-backed nightingale-thrush (Catharus fuscater) is a species of bird in the family Turdidae. It is a year-round resident found across a disjunct range in Central and South America.

Identification

• Length 17 to 18 cm, with bright orange bills and usually white irises.
• Plumage varies by subspecies, but adults of the nominate subspecies have dark slate gray upperparts and underparts with white or yellowish centres to the breast and belly.
• A prominent bright orange to yellowish orange eye-ring is visible on the dark slate gray head.
• Song consists of low, flute-like phrases described as dreamy and mesmerising, often likened to 'eer-lee' or 'ur-eee-lee'.

Habitat

The species inhabits montane evergreen forest, dense undergrowth of moist and humid forests, and streamside locations in subtropical and lower montane zones. Its range spans Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela, typically between 600 and 3,250 m in elevation.

Diet

This omnivorous bird feeds on beetles, ants, other small insects, spiders, and berries. It forages in understory vegetation and on the ground, and in Costa Rica has been observed following army ant swarms.

Did you know?

In Costa Rica, the species has been documented following army ant swarms to feed on the insects flushed by the swarm.