A Black-breasted Thrush recorded in Thailand in summer

The Black-breasted Thrush (Turdus dissimilis) breeds in montane areas from north-eastern India and Myanmar to southern China and also winters in neighbouring countries, although its migratory movements are very poorly documented (Collar 2005). It is regarded as only a winter visitor to Thailand (Robson 2002).

On 28 June 2013, I visited Doi Ang Khang, a mountain in north-western Thailand. On the road above the Ang Khang Nature Resort, which follows a ridge through conifer forests at 1761 m above sea level (19°51'N, 99°03'E), I saw briefly and took some pictures of a male Black-breasted Thrush that was foraging among herbs on the roadside.

This was a distinctive individual, showing some white marks on the head , and an internet search revealed other pictures of it. They had been taken during the two winters preceding my visit and also during the subsequent winter, all at Doi Ang Khang at the bird feeders of the Royal Agricultural Station, some 5 km from my sighting and 300 m lower down (see Appendix). It may be that this bird is resident in the area, making seasonal vertical movements such as those reported in the literature (Collar 2005). The lack of previous summer observations may be partly due to the tendency of birders to visit Thailand chiefly in winter.

The present record, apparently the first in summer for the Black-breasted Thrush in Thailand, suggests that there may also be some resident birds in the country (see also http://www.phuketbirdwatching.com/bird-of-the-month-black-breasted-thrush/).

References

Collar, N. (2005). Black-breasted Thrush (Turdus dissimilis). P. 655 in Del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Christie, D.A. (eds.), Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 10. Cuckoo-shrikes to Thrushes. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

Robson, C. (2002). Birds of Thailand. Princeton University Press, New Jersey.

Appendix

Internet pictures of the Doi Ang Khang leucistic male of Black-Breasted Thrush: 

11 Dec 2011 (http://www.phuketbirdwatching.com/trip-report-northern-tour-10-131211/)

17 Dec 2011 (http://www.flickriver.com/photos/somchai2008/sets/72157610153416259/) 

19 Feb 2012 (http://ibc.lynxeds.com/species/black-breasted-thrush-turdus-dissimilis)

Dec 2012 (http://simplyalfred.blogspot.com.es/2013/02/bird-fever-crazecraving-to-closing-of.html)

20 Jan 2013 (http://zootherabirding.blogspot.com.es/2013/01/doi-ang-khang.html)

22 Dec 2014 (http://ibc.lynxeds.com/species/black-breasted-thrush-turdus-dissimilis)