Varzea Thrush

Overview

The varzea thrush (Turdus sanchezorum) is a species of bird in the family Turdidae found in Brazil, Colombia, and Peru. It was formerly considered a color morph of Hauxwell's thrush but was described as a distinct species in 2011 based on consistent plumage differences and distinct vocalizations.

Identification

• Measures 22 to 24 cm in length and weighs approximately 58 g.
• Features rich sepia-brown head and upperparts, a warm buffy white throat with dusky brown streaks, and caramel-brown upper breast and flanks.
• Displays a dull orange eye-ring, brown iris, and a dull yellow bill with a blackish base.
• Underwing coverts are bright orange-rufous, contrasting with olive-gray legs and feet.
• Song consists of a slow, mellow caroling with slurred phrases separated by two seconds or more, accompanied by rising, querulous mewing calls.

Habitat

Primarily inhabits várzea forest along river corridors in the central and upper Amazon Basin, including the Mayo, Napo, Ucayali, Urubamba, Purus, Madeira, and Preto rivers. In Peru's Department of San Martín, it also occupies forest and savanna on white sand soils near várzea areas. Elevation ranges from 80 to 1,100 m, though it is found only above 800 m in San Martín.

Diet

Probably omnivorous, though the only documented food items are fruits. It forages singly or in small groups, generally in the lower levels of the forest and on the ground.

Did you know?

The species name honours the authors' 'long-time field companions and friends Manuel Sánchez S. and Marta Chávez de Sánchez'.