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Birdwatching in Africa - Groundscraper Thrush, Psophocichla litsitsirupa


The Groundscraper Thrush (Psophocichla litsitsirupa) is a passerine bird of southern and eastern Africa belonging to the thrush family, Turdidae. It is the only member of the genus Psophocichla.

It is 22–24 centimetres long with an erect posture, short tail, heavy bill and fairly long legs. The upperparts are plain grey-brown with a chestnut wing-panel. The underparts are white with black spots and the face is white with bold black markings. The underwing has a black and white pattern which is visible during the undulating flight. The bird has a slow whistled song and a clicking call.

There are four subspecies: P. l. litsitsirupa is the most southerly form, occurring from Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique south to northern and eastern parts of South Africa. P. l. pauciguttata is found in southern Angola, northern Namibia and north-west Botswana while P. l. stierlingae occurs in a band from northern Angola across to western Tanzania, Malawi and north-west Mozambique.

The range of P. l. simensis is separated from the others; it inhabits the highlands of Ethiopia and Eritrea. The species is found in savannas, grassland and open woodland. It can be tame and will forage in parks, gardens and around picnic sites.

The cup-shaped nest is built using vegetation and spider-webs and is lined with feathers or leaves. Three or four eggs are laid and are incubated for 14 to 15 days. They are bluish with lilac and red-brown spots and blotches.

Groundscraper Thrush, Psophocichla litsitsirupa

Range map
Range map from www.oiseaux.net - Ornithological Portal Oiseaux.net
www.oiseaux.net is one of those MUST visit pages if you're in to bird watching. You can find just about everything there


Page will be completed when I am finished with my bird watching tour in Ethiopia

Length: 22 cm
Wingspan:
Weight: 67 - 84 g
Longevity:
Distinctive Feature

•
Similar Species

• The Spotted Ground-Thrush differs in being a forest thrush with two bold wing-bars, a longer tail and a more horizontal stance. The Song Thrush also has a longer tail and a more horizontal stance, and has brown ear-coverts.

From opus at www.birdforum.net the forum for wild birds and birding.
Female / Male

•

From opus at www.birdforum.net the forum for wild birds and birding.


Listen to the Groundscraper Thrush

Remarks from the Recordist

24 October 2019 at Gemessa Gedel, Ethiopia. 3 first call and the bird is on the ground when I approach. 2 last calls is when the bird take off.


www.xeno-canto.org




Conservation status
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2012: e.T22708692A39711989. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012-1.RLTS.T22708692A39711989.en


From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

www.birdforum.net


Sighted: 24 October 2019 (Date of first photo that I could use)
Location: Gemessa Gedel, Ethiopia

Groundscraper Thrush, Psophocichla litsitsirupa
Groundscraper Thrush - 24 October 2019 - Gemessa Gedel, Ethiopia

Groundscraper Thrush, Psophocichla litsitsirupa
Groundscraper Thrush - 24 October 2019 - Gemessa Gedel, Ethiopia

Groundscraper Thrush, Psophocichla litsitsirupa
Groundscraper Thrush - 24 October 2019 - Gemessa Gedel, Ethiopia



PLEASE! If I have made any mistakes identifying any bird, PLEASE let me know on my guestbook



       
                  



                                       

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