Glossy-black Thrush (Turdus serranus)

Identification & Behavior: ~21 cm (8.2 in). The male Glossy-Black Thrush is all black with brown iris and orange orbital skin, bill, and legs. The female is all brown with gray iris and dark bill and legs. It forages in the forest understory and often on the ground in humid montane forests. It is similar to the Pale-eyed Thrush but is distinguished by having a brown iris, orange eyering, and by foraging in interior forests. Also, see Great Thrush.

Status: The Glossy-black Thrush is fairly common in montane forests of the east and west (Piura and Cajamarca) slopes of the Andes at elevations ranging between 1800-3000 m (east slope) and 1200-2900 m (west slope). It also occurs in Co, Ec, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Zorzal Negro-Brilloso.

Sub-species: Glossy-black Thrush (Turdus serranus serranus), Tschudi, 1844.

Meaning of Name: Turdus: L. turdus= thrush. serranus: Portuguese serra for mountain range, also, Spanish sierra and cerro mountain range.

See more of the Family Turdidae