The groundscraper thrush (Turdus litsitsirupa) is a bold, long-legged bird native to southern and eastern Africa, known for its distinctive ground-foraging behavior, heavily spotted white underparts, and strong facial markings.
The groundscraper thrush is a medium-sized bird, about 22–24 centimetres (8.7–9.4 inches) long. Key identification features include:
Upright stance and short tail with white-tipped outer feathers.
Plain grey-brown upperparts and a a two-tone black and orange bill.
White underparts with bold, black, teardrop-shaped spots on the breast and belly.
A white face with striking black markings, including an orange line over the eye.
The groundscraper thrush (Turdus litsitsirupa) is a passerine bird of southern and eastern Africa belonging to the thrush family, Turdidae. It was previously considered the only member of the genus Psophocichla, but phylogenetic analysis supports it belonging in the genus Turdus, of which it is the most basal species.
It is 22–24 centimetres (8.7–9.4 in) 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.
It can be tame and will forage in parks, gardens and around picnic sites.
The Ethiopian thrush (Turdus simensis) was formerly treated as a fourth subspecies, but is genetically as well as geographically distinct.
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.
