<trp-post-container data-trp-post-id='359802'>Black Thrush

Open Bird Bucket List ↗

En bref

  • Scientific Name: Turdus infuscatus
  • Spanish Name: Mirlo negro
  • Family: Turdidae
  • Known Nicknames: Black Robin, Guatemalan Black Thrush
  • Average Length: 23–25 cm / 9–10 in
  • Average Weight: 60–80 g / 2.1–2.8 oz
  • Wingspan: 34–38 cm / 13–15 in
  • Key Feature: Uniform glossy black plumage with bright orange bill and eye-ring
  • Primary Diet: Primarily Frugivore, also Insectivore
  • Range: Highlands of southern Mexico (Chiapas) to Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras
  • Habitat: Montane cloud forest and humid pine-oak forest at 1,200–3,000 m elevation
  • Social Structure: Solitary or in pairs during breeding; loosely gregarious in winter
  • Nesting/Breeding: Cup-shaped nest in tree fork or shrub
  • Statut de conservation : Préoccupation mineure (LC)
  • Évolution démographique : Stable

The Black Thrush (*Turdus infuscatus*) is a striking, dark-plumaged songbird endemic to the highland cloud forests of Central America, primarily from southern Mexico to Honduras. Its most unique characteristic is its near-uniform, sooty black coloration, which sets it apart from most other thrushes, though it is often confused with the similar Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush; careful observation reveals its thicker bill, longer tail, and a subtle, rich brownish-black gloss on its wings and back. Males and females appear nearly identical, with bright yellow-orange eye rings, bills, and legs providing a vivid contrast against the dark body, while its melodic, flute-like song—a series of clear, slow whistles—echoes through the misty canopy. A special feature is its strong preference for dense, mossy undergrowth and steep ravines, making it a secretive but rewarding sight for birdwatchers, and it plays a vital role as a seed disperser for high-altitude fruits like those of the Lauraceae family.

Faits amusants

The Black Thrush has a quirky habit of vigorously “anting,” where it deliberately rubs ants on its feathers, possibly to use the formic acid as a natural insecticide or to soothe molting skin. One of the few thrush species that thrives at high altitudes, it often forages on volcanic slopes in Central America, using its strong legs to flip over heavy moss and leaf litter. Its song is surprisingly complex and flute-like, but individuals have been observed mimicking the calls of hawks to scare off competitors from fruit trees.

Habitats et répartition

The Black Thrush is endemic to the highlands of Middle America, primarily occupying the Sierra Madre de Chiapas in southern Mexico and extending into the highlands of western and central Guatemala. Its habitat consists of humid montane forests, cloud forests, and adjacent pine-oak woodlands, typically at elevations between 1,200 and 3,000 meters. It is most commonly found in dense, mossy understory with abundant leaf litter and epiphytes, though it may venture into forest edges and shaded coffee plantations.

Comportements & Reproduction

The Black Thrush is generally solitary or found in loose pairs during the breeding season, with males establishing and defending small territories through song. Mating is monogamous for the season, with the male courting the female by offering food and engaging in short, fluttering pursuit flights. The female builds a cup-shaped nest of moss and mud, typically placed in a tree fork or shrub, and lays two to three pale blue eggs with reddish speckles. Incubation lasts about 12–14 days, performed solely by the female, while the male assists with feeding the chicks after hatching. A unique strategy is their use of elevated, concealed nest sites in dense cloud forest foliage to reduce predation, and both parents will aggressively mob intruders near the nest. Fledging occurs around two weeks after hatching, and the young remain dependent on the parents for another few weeks before dispersing.

Alimentation

The Black Thrush (Turdus infuscatus) is primarily a frugivore, with its diet heavily dominated by a wide variety of wild fruits and berries, particularly those from trees in the Lauraceae and Melastomataceae families, which it swallows whole. It also consumes a significant amount of animal matter, especially during the breeding season, including earthworms, snails, insects like beetles and caterpillars, and small arthropods gleaned from leaf litter and bark. An interesting dietary behavior is its tendency to forage in mixed-species flocks during the non-breeding season, allowing it to exploit fruit-rich trees more efficiently. Additionally, these thrushes are known to occasionally visit fruiting trees in coffee plantations and forest edges, playing a crucial role in seed dispersal for many tropical plant species.

Couleurs

The Black Thrush is predominantly dark slate-gray to black, with males appearing nearly solid black and females slightly browner. It has a bright yellow-orange eye ring, bill, and legs, creating a striking contrast against its dark plumage, with no distinct markings or camouflage adaptations beyond its shadowy coloration for concealment in dense forest understory.

Distribution Map

Places linked to this species. A sighting is never guaranteed.

Use the map filter to show only featured places.

Featured places