The Karoo thrush (Turdus smithi), also known as Smith's thrush, is a member of the thrush family in Africa. It has traditionally been considered a subspecies of the olive thrush (with which it is known to hybridize), but is increasingly treated as a separate species. The specific name honours the Scottish military surgeon and zoologist Sir Andrew Smith.[2]

Karoo thrush
Adult
Song
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Turdidae
Genus: Turdus
Species:
T. smithi
Binomial name
Turdus smithi
Bonaparte, 1850

Description edit

This medium-sized bird has a length of about 24 cm. It has a wing length between 117 and 131 mm, a culmen length between 20 and 24 mm and a tarsus length between 30.0 and 34.5 mm. It can reach a mass of at least 86 g. It differs from the olive thrush by its longer, entirely yellow bill, its longer wings, and its greyer flanks.

Range edit

It occurs in South Africa, where it is present in Little Namaqualand, the Karoo and Northern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and parts of the North West Province.

Gallery edit

References edit

  1. ^ BirdLife International (2017). "Turdus smithi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T22734108A119723093. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T22734108A119723093.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. ^ James A. Jobling (2010). The Helm dictionary of scientific bird names from aalge to zusii. Christopher Helm, London. p. 358. ISBN 9781408125014.

External links edit