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

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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

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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.

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References

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  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.
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