Rusty-backed Thrush Geokichla erythronota Scientific name definitions

20 cm; 52–61 g. Nominate race has rufous or rufous-chestnut crown to rump , black wings with two broad white wingbars and white edges of flight-feathers, black tail with white tips of outer feathers; black supercilium; white lores and face, black subocular downward stripe connecting to black chin to mid-breast ; broad white lower breast­band , whitish belly to flanks with broad black half-spots (looking like bars), white undertail-coverts; bill pale bluish-green; legs flesh. Sexes similar. Immature has pale buff streaks on scapulars, buffier face and throat, and rusty-buff wash on underparts. Race kabaena is black on crown to upper back (condition noted at least once in nominate).

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Deep shade of tropical lowland and mid-elevation broadleaf evergreen forest , mainly primary, below 1000 m. On Kabaena, found in undisturbed closed-canopy secondary forest with largely clear ground, highly disturbed secondary forest by streams, secondary growth in ravines, cashew-nut plantations, bamboo stands and extensive areas of scrub, at 380–600 m.

Insects, including hymenopterans (almost entirely ants), heteropteran bugs, coleopterans and lepidopterans. Highly terrestrial , usually seen below 0·5 m, moving rapidly over the ground when foraging. On Kabaena, noted once following party of Sulawesi Babblers (Trichastoma celebense).

Song  apparently a liquid, typically thrush-like series of notes. Calls include single, very thin, very high-pitched upslurred whistle (on Kabaena, preceded by high and then low note), and harsh “chak-chak-chak-chak-chak” in alarm.