Description

A very striking thrush with rich olive brown upper parts, two rows of spots on median coverts and a characteristic black and white facial pattern. It is found throughout the low country wet zone and the hills up to about 2000 meters, a bird of forest and well wooded gardens adjacent to these areas. Its melodious song can be heard at dawn and dusk in Sinharaja, Dombagaskanda and Kitulgala where it could be easily observed along the trails.

The skulking bird is found only above 1500 meters in dense undergrowth moving stealthily but occasionally showing itself well. Generally dark with rusty-buff throat, dark grey breast, and rounded tail. Faint pale eyebrow and pale eye ring. Olive brown upper parts with a rusty tinge on rump, olive grey belly with rufous tinge on flanks and under tail. Male has red eyes and female pale buff. Nuwara Eliya and Horton plains are the best locations to see this rare bird.