FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
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Do you like learning interesting facts about various species of birds? Then give this article a read. One of India's most melodious songbirds is the Malabar whistling thrush. The Malabar whistling thrush sound or call has a human quality and this bird makes its call at dawn. However, during the summer, this bird can sometimes be heard calling during the day. This bird species is from the Muscicapidae family and is a resident of India. This bird has patches of blue around the shoulder and forehead. This bird is endemic to India and derives its name from the human quality of its call.
The Malabar whistling thrush is a bird native to India and is not migratory. Generally, they return to their old nest to lay their eggs and have now become accustomed to living near human settlements.
For relatable content, check out the chestnut-bellied rock-thrush and Aztec thrush.
The Malabar whistling thrush is a species of bird found in eastern and southern India. During dawn, the Malabar whistling thrush makes a human-like sound and they are famous for their whistling.
The Malabar whistling thrush belongs to the Aves or bird animal class. Additionally, this species of birds is part of the Muscicapidae family and its genus is Myophonus.
There is no exact number about the population range of the Malabar whistling thrush, but data suggests that the range of their population is decreasing due to loss of habitat.
The Malabar whistling thrush bird lives in inland wetlands and a range of forests and is a resident of India, particularly in the the Western Ghats and parts of Maharashtra and Karnataka. The elevation range of this bird's presence is not that high, but they are mostly present in the Western Ghats.
The Malabar whistling thrush is found in inland wetlands and forests. Their habitat is present in the Western Ghats, parts of the Eastern Ghats, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. They have recently been seen near human settlements. They are not migratory birds, but they do travel a short-distance during the monsoon season.
Malabar whistling thrush birds live alone or in pairs. They have not been seen with other species of birds.
Not much is known about the lifecycle or lifespan of the Malabar whistling thrush bird.
The breeding season for the Malabar whistling thrush bird begins tentatively in February and ends in August. The male tries to impress the female during the breeding season by calling and demonstrating its flight capabilities. Nests are made from bamboo roots, moss, and grass by the female and male. Usually found in cracks in trees, the nest is round in shape. Recent discoveries have found that they nest in the cracks of abandoned buildings. There are two to four eggs in a clutch. The female keeps a watch on the juveniles while the male hunts for food. It takes the male and female 16-17 days to incubate the eggs. The nesting period is unknown.
The IUCN has classified the Malabar whistling thrush in the Least Concern category. The exact population of the bird is unknown, but its range has declined due to habitat loss.
From a distance, the Malabar whistling thrush bird appears blackish and monotone, but a closer inspection reveals it has a royal blue forehead band, as well as blue wings and edges. These birds that generally live singly or in pairs on the Ghats have legs and bills that are black. Females look similar to males, except they do not have a glossy finish to their plumage. The glossy wings give them a blackish appearance. Juveniles are matte black and have glossy blue patches on their shoulders.
The Malabar whistling thrush isn't really known to be cute, but rather we can admire it for its human quality call. This bird can be described as photogenic rather than cute because it appears blackish with its glossy feathers and patches of blue on its forehead and shoulders. They look quite majestic in photos.
The Malabar whistling thrush communicates with a human quality that is whistling calls. Sometimes the male and female bird will make these calls together at dawn. They have been given the name of 'whistling schoolboy' because of their call. You can sometimes hear their call in the middle of a hot day. Additionally, this bird can be heard making a descending 'kree-ee' call while in flight.
The Malabar whistling thrush is 9.8-11.8 in (25-30 cm), compared to the blue whistling thrush which is 12–14 in (30.5–35.5 cm) and is a bit smaller even though it is a similar species of bird.
Data about the flight speed of the Malabar whistling thrush has not been recorded.
The weight of the Malabar whistling thrush is 3.5-4.5 oz (101-130g). They are bulkier than a wood thrush.
Male and female birds of this species have no distinct names. They are referred to as Malabar whistling thrush male and Malabar whistling thrush female.
A baby Malabar whistling thrush is called a juvenile.
The diet of the Malabar whistling thrush consists of earthworms, berries, aquatic insects, crabs, frogs, and snails.
No, this bird species is not considered to be dangerous, just like the song thrush.
This bird species would make wonderful pets because of their call. As they are known to have a call that is soothing and melodious, they are considered to be pets. However, they are wild birds so it is best if they are allowed to fly freely in their natural habitat.
They are not migratory birds, but it has been recorded that they have traveled all the way to Mount Abu.
In the summer, these birds are known to take frequent baths to stay cool.
It has been recorded that they perch on trees for elevation and to scope their surroundings. The bird also forages for berries on the ground.
The Malabar whistling thrush differs from a regular thrush in the following ways. First of all, a regular thrush does not have blue patches on its shoulders and forehead. The Malabar whistling thrush, on the other hand, is a resident of India, specifically the Ghats. The regular thrush does not belong to the same family or genus as the Malabar whistling thrush.
The whistling thrush is known for its clear, loud whistle, which can be heard at dawn or in the middle of the day on a hot summer day. This is the reason for this bird's name.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds from our dusky thrush facts and karoo thrush facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable bird coloring pages.
Main image by Rejichandran
Second image by PJeganathan
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
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