Malabar Whistling Thrush

The Malabar Whisting Thrush, Myophonus horsfieldii, is a whistling thrush in the thrush family Turdidae.

It breeds in the hills of peninsular India. Populations are resident.

Malabar Whisting Thrush is found in jungle or other dense forest near water. It is omnivorous, eating a wide range of insects, frogs, worms and berries. It nests in bushes or similar, laying several (usually 2 to 4) eggs on in a neat cup-shaped nest on a ledge often near a waterfall.

It does not form flocks, although several birds may be loosely associated in suitable habitat.

Adults are 25cm long, dark blue with a blacker head and back. There are bright blue patches on the shoulders and forehead. The juvenile has browner plumage and lack the blue forehead.

This is a bold species which is often found near human habitation. The male sings its varied and melodious whistling song from trees. It is kept as a cage bird, and can be taught to whistle entire tunes.

Reference

• Birds of India by Grimmett, Inskipp and Inskipp, ISBN 0-691-04910-6
• Thrushes by Clement and Hathaway, ISBN 0-7136-3940-7