About Turdus fuscater Orbigny & Lafresnaye, 1837
Adults of Turdus fuscater are 28 to 33 cm (11 to 13 in) long and weigh 128 to 175 g (4.5 to 6.2 oz), with an average weight of 141 g (5.0 oz). This makes it the largest species in the widespread Turdus genus, and one of the largest thrushes, though the Amami thrush and blue whistling thrush may match or exceed it in size. The species can be easily identified by its yellowish-orange beak and legs, and a yellow ring around the eye. Slight sexual dimorphism occurs occasionally, with males having more intensely colored legs and eye rings. It has long tail feathers. Its plumage is black-brown, darker on the wings and tail, and paler on the belly. Juveniles are mostly greenish gray with a pale belly, and have some buff spots on the head and wings. Subspecies have subtle differences in coloration: T. f. ockendeni is the darkest, followed by T. f. quindio and T. f. gigantodes. The palest subspecies are T. f. gigas, T. f. cacozelus, and T. f. fuscater. Albinistic specimens have been recorded, but they are very rare. This species is a characteristic bird of Andean highlands. Its range spans the Andes of western and northern Venezuela as far south as Lara and Trujillo, and continues through the Andes of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, to northwestern Bolivia. It occurs at altitudes between 1800 and 4000 meters, and is more commonly found above 2000 m. The great thrush uses a wide range of habitats, including open forest, residential backyards, parks, and farmland with scattered trees or remaining forest patches. It also lives along the edges of multiple types of Andean forests, including humid montane, secondary, and temperate forests. It tends to avoid dry conditions and densely forested areas, but sometimes occurs along the edges of Andean páramo or in shrublands. It is commonly found in urban highland habitats, for example in Quito and Bogota. Most populations are sedentary. The great thrush is a generalist feeder. It mainly forages for fruits and berries, but also eats invertebrates, and even steals eggs and nestlings from other birds. It usually swallows fruits whole. It generally feeds at ground level, preferring short grass areas, but also visits fruiting trees and shrubs. Its activity peaks at dawn and dusk. When flushed, it usually only flies a short distance. Adults become highly territorial during the breeding season, but can gather in groups of up to 40 individuals at other times of year. It is thought that these groups use shared communal perches in trees until the next breeding season begins. Breeding occurs at different times of year depending on location: March to April in Venezuela, January to August in Colombia, October in Ecuador, and February and June in Peru. The nest is relatively large and cup-shaped, built from small twigs, leaves, grass, and mud, and placed low in trees or shrubs. The female lays two pale blue-green eggs with reddish spots, which have an average size of 2 cm.
